The debate among reasonable individuals about the effectiveness of disinflation in the US is gaining momentum, with some questioning whether it is actually stalling. However, recent data suggests that central bankers may be able to hold off on reducing benchmark interest rates due to the underlying strength of the economy. On Friday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released data indicating that personal spending in February increased by 0.4% after adjusting for inflation, exceeding the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg who had predicted a 0.1% increase. Furthermore, consumer sentiment had reached its highest level since July 2021, while weekly initial jobless claims decreased and pending home sales rebounded in February following a decline in January. With few areas of concern visible in an economy that performs well and is closely watched, central bankers may have more time to make decisions regarding monetary policy without fear of negative consequences.
Is Disinflation the Key to Stalling the Great Debate on US Monetary Policy?
