Producer Price Index Apr 2023 release for March Data.

The BLS has released the March Producer Price Index Report.  (historical releases)

The Producer Price Index for final demand declined 0.5 percent in March, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices were unchanged in February and increased 0.4 percent in January. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the index for final demand advanced 2.7 percent for the 12 months ended in March. 

In March, two-thirds of the decline in the index for final demand can be attributed to a 1.0-percent decrease in prices for final demand goods. The index for final demand services moved down 0.3 percent.

Prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services edged up 0.1 percent in March after rising 0.2 percent in February. For the 12 months ended in March, the index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services increased 3.6 percent.

Last month's projection...

Still, I would anticipate March to be year over year of +3.0%, and month to month being flat. 

Not too bad for a complete idiot.

Now for my version of spin, or misdirection, or whatever. I tend to look for things that impact me, so my version... may not match your version.

Off the top, the energy index was almost 3/4 of that -0.5% m/m decline in final demand. While most everyone thinks of gasoline, it did rise in March and will continue to do so... maybe through May. It will not achieve last year's June highs, in my opinion. 

The story in energy is natural gas. This will show declines into the summer. I don't think it will achieve last summer's high, but it might come close. The upshot being a continuation of m/m declines and annual rates declining into that period.

Currently the PPI final demand number is sitting at 20.8% above the April, 2020 low. The CPI, for reference, is 17.7% above that same period. I would not project any significant correlation between those two figures.

March's number, per the PPIFIS, stands at 140.865, compared to last June's 140.156. It is still +0.5% from June. Clearly, the y/y will continue to decline, but how far will it decline?

Being someone that consumes food on a regular basis, I should point out the final demand on food was +0.6% m/m. That is stark contrast from yesterday's CPI "food at home", at -0.3%. That concerns me more than the rise in current pump prices. 

My review of the PPI data, leads me to believe the (core) sticky prices are stuck in the near term. The year over year, however, will continue to fall. At some part, core will also begin to slip.

Next month will likely show another -0.2% m/m, and a +2.0% y/y. No doubt the y/y will likely turn negative in the next few months, largely due to energy. At some point in the summer, the sticky core will have to pitch in, to keep the numbers in decline.

BUT, if that occurs, is it due to slowing demand?

Smarter minds will have to weigh in on that question.

Gasoline consumption through last Friday, APR-07-2023

Gasoline prices were (per AAA) were up 9.2¢ this week, to $3.621. A year ago, the price had ballooned to $4.098. I projected a 12.5¢ increase, and didn't get it. Hooray! Not a bad thing.

The  consumption edged up a healthy +3.1% from last week, and jumped 6.8% above year ago numbers. (This is a four week moving average).  

If you are really into this type of thing... the import/export surplus of gasoline since last March 1st 2022, stands at +99.3M barrels. This is a global market, so the global economy, as well as refinery output, is key to where pump prices will be.

Where will pump prices be next week? Last week, I forecast a +12.5¢ increase and got a +9.2¢ rise. I hope the reality is still less than my expectations.

So, it looks like a +12.4¢ increase at the pump. Here's hoping I am wrong.

As for the outlook of $4 per gallon at the pump nationally... 1st or 2nd week of May. 

Crude and Petroleum Product Inventories - APR 12 2023

Today's EIA.gov report. 

Crude stocks grew, +597K barrels, from last week, although still at +1.0% above the 5 year seasonal average. It should be noted the 5 year average includes the abnormal 2020 and 2021 number. Otherwise, the current inventory is nearly +6.0% above normal.

Distillates fell -606K Barrels; and Gasoline slid another -330K barrels. The SPR fell -1.6M barrels.

WTI has risen to $83.21, compared to $80.54, one week ago, and $99.40, one year ago. OPEC + did announce substantial output cuts, but the when, where and who, remains to be seen. The price jump is basically an expectation of China's economy regaining footing. 

Refinery output edged up on a weekly basis, but still below one year ago levels. I would make an assumption that the lag is due to refinery maintenance.

For anyone interested, the U.S. has exported 591.9M barrels of crude and petroleum products, more than imported, since March 1, 2022. 1.4M barrels this past week, which is well below previous weeks. It appears to be in crude exports being abnormally low. Maybe a tanker didn't sail on time?

Overall, crude stocks remain quite healthy, compared to this time last year, with days supply at 30.2, compared to last year's 26.7 days.

While crude inventories remain in decent shape, the refining part of the equation is still lagging, compared to one year ago. 

I am, also, puzzled by the gasoline side, as importing more than exporting... is somewhat of an anomaly.

Real Earnings: April Release of March 2023 Data

The BLS has released the latest Real Earnings Report. 

All employees

Real average hourly earnings for all employees increased 0.2 percent from February to March, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This result stems from an increase of 0.3 percent in average hourly earnings combined with an increase of 0.1 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Real average weekly earnings decreased 0.1 percent over the month due to the change in real average hourly earnings combined with a 0.3-percent decrease in the average workweek.  

Real average hourly earnings decreased 0.7 percent, seasonally adjusted, from March 2022 to March 2023. The change in real average hourly earnings combined with a decrease of 0.9 percent in the average workweek resulted in a 1.6-percent decrease in real average weekly earnings over this period.

Now for some comparison graphs, dating back to February 2020, or pre-covid. It is important to compare to that date, as the rates were distorted with all the layoffs early on. Remember... A lot of people were working from home, etc. A lot of people did not have that option.

The above rate is still a shade below February 2020.

The above rate is still a shade below February 2020.

The above rate is 14¢ higher than February 2020.

The above rate is $6.50 higher than February 2020.

It is better than losing ground, but not sure it is a sign of "real" progress.

CPI Latest DATA results, Reports for March 2023

The BLS report was released this morning and it was a shade below consensus estimates. (historical releases)

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.1 percent in March on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.4 percent in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 5.0 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter was by far the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase. This more than offset a decline in the energy index, which decreased 3.5 percent over the month as all major energy component indexes declined. The food index was unchanged in March with the food at home index falling 0.3 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.4 percent in March, after rising 0.5 percent in February. Indexes which increased in March include shelter, motor vehicle insurance, airline fares, household furnishings and operations, and new vehicles. The index for medical care and the index for used cars and trucks were among those that decreased over the month.

A couple of notes... "all major components declined". That is with "seasonal" adjustment. While the overall index eased, the gasoline component was up +1.0% and is currently on the rise for April, as in +3.0%. Be careful of the spin.

Food at home, did drop, but that food away from home... seems to be hanging tough.

The real story is sticky prices, or Core, or CPI ex- food and energy. It actually rose on an annual basis, and was above expectations on the monthly. It would have been even worse, but the Medical side inexplicably fell. If it had remained flat, you could add another +0.1% to that Core.

Simply looking at the core at 5.6%, with the overall being 5.0%... should tell you that drops in energy is where the most savings are. Further browsing through the numbers, indicate most items, other than gasoline are where those savings are. How much longer can that last?

The forecast indicates an increase in Core, with the overall remaining at current level of +5.0%. So clearly the big brains think it will continue. The may be right, but the politics of pump prices, tends to overshadow all the other energy components. 

Generally speaking, those winter heating bills drop and consumers don't really recognize the cost per unit difference. Gasoline is right in your face at the pump... and everyone seems to recognize that cost per unit.

My own personal CPI...

I guess I should be happy with the +0.1% M/M, and +4.0% Y/Y, but I don't like inflation of any type. 

Natural Gas Inventories look to be good, except on the left coast.

The Energy Information Administration released their weekly report Thursday.

In great shape, except for the west coast...

So prices are down in most regions, with the exception of above. With warmer weather, some improvement should occur in those regions.

However, that leaves much of the country outside the Mountain and Pacific regions at +48.1% above this time last year, and +31.6% above the 5 year seasonal average. Including the Mountain and Pacific regions, you get...

So it really should come as no surprise that Henry Hub prices are this low. At some point, the average price of inventory is reduced enough to feed into the regular economy... and slowly bring down consumer expenses, related to natural gas. It might have started in February. 

The question with the prices this low... will household energy prices reflect this in the near future? IF prices continue at this low point, then it would not be unreasonable to expect that part of the energy component in the CPI, to retrace back to spring 2021... by late summer. 

Could they go lower? That might be wishful thinking.

The same cannot be said for Europe. Futures pricing is still triple 2 years ago. Considering the hefty condition of their inventories and also considering the likely average price of those inventories... Triple may become the norm. That is without the anticipated rise going into next winter.

Not sure how all this will play out, with the price schemes, caps, subsidies, etc. and future implications of a return to the principles of the Maastricht Treaty. 

Gasoline consumption through last Friday, Mar-31-2023

Gasoline prices were (per AAA) were up 6.7¢ this week, to $3.528. A year ago, the price had ballooned to $4.176. I projected a 4.5¢ increase, and wish it hadn't happened.

The  consumption edged up a healthy +1.4% from last week, and jumped 3.3% above year ago numbers. (This is a four week moving average). 

Click on image to enlarge

If you are really into this type of thing... the import/export surplus of gasoline since last March 1st 2022, stands at +99.5M barrels. This is a global market, so the global economy, as well as refinery output, is key to where pump prices will be.

Where will pump prices be next week? Last week, I forecast a +4.5¢ increase and got a +6.7¢ rise. I hope my inability to accurately predict prices remains opposite of what takes place. At least for the coming week. 

So, it looks like a +12.5¢ increase at the pump. Here's hoping I am wrong.

Normally, consumption eases during this current period, but warmer than seasonal weather must be enticing those with cabin fever... to drive.

Will the national average get to $5? I really want to say no, but with gasoline inventory below this time last year, consumption above this time last year, and refinery output below this time last year... It is hard to build a case against $5 gasoline. 

We have to cross the $4 threshold and that will likely happen sometime near the first of May. That is just me guessing and pulling a date out of thin air. 

I drive less that 1,000 miles a year, so don't even know why I watch this stuff so closely.