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

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

The Producer Price Index for Final Demand decreased 0.1 percent in February, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices advanced 0.3 percent in January and declined 0.2 percent in December 2022. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index rose 4.6 percent for the 12 months ended in February.

In February, the decline in the final demand index was led by prices for final demand goods, which fell 0.2 percent. The index for final demand services edged down 0.1 percent.

The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services increased 0.2 percent in February after rising 0.5 percent in January. For the 12 months ended in February, prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services advanced 4.4 percent.

Final demand goods: The index for final demand goods fell 0.2 percent in February following a 1.2-percent advance in January. A 2.2-percent decline in prices for final demand foods was a major factor in the February decrease. The index for final demand energy moved down 0.2 percent. In contrast, prices for final demand goods less foods and energy rose 0.3 percent.

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Okay, so let me blow my horn a bit, with last month's prediction...

Next month is likely to surprise to the low side, possibly even a monthly negative, with annual at the +4.4% range.

Okay, got that out of the way. All in all a good report, with many areas of hope. Now on to the "Nonfood materials less energy." Which, I guess, is similar to core... being without food and energy. That popped +1.2% for the month, following January's +1.6%. I get this feeling it will be near +1.8%, when March's numbers come out. 

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

 

Real Earnings report, March Reports 2023

The BLS has released the latest Real Earnings Report.

Real average hourly earnings for all employees decreased 0.1 percent from January to February, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This result stems from an increase of 0.2 percent in average hourly earnings combined with an increase of 0.4 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Real average weekly earnings decreased 0.4 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 1.3 percent, seasonally adjusted, from February 2022 to February 2023. The change in real average hourly earnings combined with a decrease of 0.6 percent in the average workweek resulted in a 1.9-percent decrease in real average weekly earnings over this period.

As always, I compare to February, 2020... or just prior to that "thing." As a reminder, the lower end of the wage scale got sent home and/or had jobs that were not of the work from home variety. Thus, a massive jump at the beginning of the "thing", which tapered earnings downward as the lower income groups re-entered the workforce, or as it became clear they were also essential.

The following chart indicates, down -5¢, and down from last month.

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The following chart (weekly) indicates -46¢ and down two straight months.

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The following chart, indicates +11¢, hourly and up from last month, but below 2 months ago.

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The following chart, indicates a weekly gain of +$5.54, but down from last month.

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In summation, the report again, indicates earnings are treading water. 

CPI DATA results, March Reports 2023

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

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.5 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 6.0 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter was the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase, accounting for over 70 percent of the increase, with the indexes for food, recreation, and household furnishings and operations also contributing. The food index increased 0.4 percent over the month with the food at home index rising 0.3 percent. The energy index decreased 0.6 percent over the month as the natural gas and fuel oil indexes both declined.

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

The all items index increased 6.0 percent for the 12 months ending February; this was the smallest 12-month increase since the period ending September 2021. The all items less food and energy index rose 5.5 percent over the last 12 months, its smallest 12-month increase since December 2021. The energy index increased 5.2 percent for the 12 months ending February, and the food index increased 9.5 percent over the last year. 

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That's all from the BLS. Now on to my inflation stats. Which receded annually to 5.0% and 0.2% month to month.

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I would hope for a repeat during March, but with nearly half the month already gone... it is looking a bit iffy. 

Overall, the inflation outlook is improving, but still some pinkish areas overall. The PPI report tomorrow might provide a better outlook.

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Most everything I have read, indicates the CPI report was "close" to expectations. The upside surprise was the Core figures, which were tad above expectations. 

Which brings me to the March expectations. Everything I am reading indicates next month's release will have a much lower rate of inflation, as in 5.2% range. However, core is expected in the range of 5.7%, or to increase. Also on the month to month.

For that to happen the non core part - food and energy,  would have to drop fairly sharply. Not really seeing it at this point.

Gasoline consumption through week of Mar-3-2023

Gasoline prices were (per AAA) were up 8.7¢ this week, to $3.446. A year ago, the price had ballooned to $4.173. 

The seasonal consumption is edging up. (This is a four week moving average). It is +0.3% above one year ago levels. However, the national average pump price is -17.4% below same period.

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If you are really into this type of thing... the import/export surplus of gasoline since last March 1st 2022, stands at +92.8M 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? My inclination would be a rise of about 7¢ per gallon. Hopefully, I am wrong. I am basing this on the following...

• Refinery utilization is slightly below last week and last year.
• Consumption is increasing above last year's levels
• Imports fell and exports rose. 

Unfortunately, I nearly nailed the forecast from last week, but even a stopped clock is right twice a day. So hoping I am wrong for this upcoming week.

Crude Inventories Slip - Mar 08 2023

Today's EIA.gov report. 

Crude stocks up again, -1.7M barrels, from last week; Distillates up +138K Barrels; and Gasoline slid -1.1M barrels. 

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WTI at $76.84, compared to $77.69, one week ago, and $119.69 a year ago (peak). 

Refinery output eased on a weekly basis, and still slightly below one year ago levels. 

For anyone interested, the U.S. has exported 503.9M barrels of crude and petroleum products, more than imported, since March 1, 2022. 7.0M barrels this past week.

Overall, crude stocks remain quite healthy, compared to this time last year, with days supply at 31.9, compared to last year's 27 days.

The SPR remains steady for the past 8 weeks at 371.579M barrels.

Gasoline consumption through week of Feb-24-2023

Gasoline prices were (per AAA) were down 3.8¢ this week, to $3.359. A year ago, the price was $3.619. 

The streak for lower prices ended yesterday and quite possibly for the season. 

The seasonal consumption is edging up. (This is a four week moving average). It is +0.5% above one year ago levels. However, the national average pump price is -7.1% below same period.

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If you are really into this type of thing... the import/export surplus of gasoline since last March 1st 2022, stands at +90M barrels. If you saw last week's report, that is down, as imports outnumbered exports... obviously. 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? My inclination would be a rise of about 8¢ per gallon. Hopefully, I am wrong. I am basing this on the following...

• Refinery utilization is flat and below last year.
• Consumption is increasing above last year's levels
• Gasoline is a global commodity and the dollar is slipping a tad, making U.S. gasoline prices more attractive.
• Crude prices, across the board are starting to edge up.

But seriously, what do I know?

Crude Inventories continue to build-Mar 01 2023

Today's EIA.gov report. 

Crude stocks up again, +1.2M barrels, from last week; Distillates up +179K Barrels; and Gasoline slid -874K barrels. 

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WTI at $77.58, compared to $73.95, one week ago, and $100.21 a year ago. 

Refinery output remained unchanged on a weekly basis, and still slightly below one year ago levels. 

For anyone interested, the U.S. has exported 497M barrels of crude and petroleum products, more than imported, since March 1, 2022. 21.4M barrels this past week.

Overall, crude stocks are quite healthy, compared to this time last year (2nd highest- 2021), and the highest since May 21, 2021.

The Administration has suggested another SPR release, but the SPR is currently unchanged, for the past 7 weeks.