CPI Preview (Good, Bad & Ugly)

What’s in Today’s Report:

• CPI Preview (Good, Bad & Ugly)

Futures are little changed despite solid tech earnings and more Chinese stimulus, as markets await the CPI report at 8:30 a.m. ET.

ORCL posted solid earnings and rallied 5% overnight and that’s adding to overall tech and market momentum.

Chinese authorities cut the reverse repo rate to 1.9% from 2.0%, and that move increased market expectations for future additional stimulus.

Today focus will be on the CPI report and expectations are as follows: 0.2% m/m, 4.1% y/y, Core CPI (E: 0.4% m/m, 5.3% y/y).  Additionally, “Super Core” CPI (which is core CPI less housing) will also be in focus and markets will want to see a drop to (or ideally below) 5.2% y/y.

Bottom line, markets need CPI to confirm accelerating disinflation to continue to rally, while a sticky inflation number will result in real market disappointment (although the looming FOMC decision should keep any market moves more muted than they otherwise would have been).