US: CPI and Fed Minutes in focus this week – NBF

According to analysts at National Bank Financial, for the US economy, the consumer price index could have increased significantly in March (+0.4% m/m), reflecting a surge in gasoline prices.

Key Quotes

“Combined with a positive base effect, may have caused the year-on-year rate to rise three ticks at 1.8%. Core inflation, for its part, may have risen 0.2% in the month, allowing the annual rate to remain unchanged at 2.1%.”

“The March iteration of the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index will be published alongside February’s factory orders and Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).”

“Finally, the Fed will release the minutes of its March 20 meeting.”