Czech CPI inflation for May surprised the market to the upside, but it was below the central bank's monthly forecast: the inflation rate came in at 2.4 percent y/y compared to consensus expectation of 2.1 percent and CNB's forecast of 2.6 percent.
CNB held such a high forecast because it correctly noted that there was a weak base effect from May last year (which will also be the case in June). When world energy and commodity prices were rallying strongly last winter, Czech inflation was running at faster than 0.3 percent a month.
Now the commodity price rally has run out of steam, and the inflation pressure will normalise. Core CPI is maintaining a stable 2 percent inflation rate, which happens to be the central bank's target. In summary, it may have first appeared so, but there was no real hawkish surprise from the May CPI data – in fact, the central bank was pleasantly surprised.
"On the other hand, the underlying inflation rate is close to the target, hence there is no case for further monetary easing. We expect EUR/CZK to gradually decline in coming quarters towards 26.00," Commerzbank commented in its latest research report.


India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 



