U.S. consumer prices rise for 4th straight month in November, bolster case for further monetary tightening

Consumer prices in the United States rose for the fourth straight month during November, following lift in housing rents that pushed prices higher, bolstering case for a further Federal Reserve monetary policy tightening. Fed Chair Janet Yellen hinted at triple rate hikes in the New Year, following gradual and steady recovery in the world’s largest economy.

U.S.’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2 percent for the month on a seasonally adjusted basis, matching analyst expectations, data released by the Department of Labor showed Thursday. The core inflation index rose 2.1 percent y/y.

The overall CPI shot up 0.4 percent in October. In the 12 months through November, the CPI increased 1.7 percent, the biggest year-on-year gain since October 2014. It rose 1.6 percent in the year to October. The central bank expects inflation to hit 2 percent, aiming to further raise the Fed fund rate thrice in the upcoming year.

Further, the country’s new President-elect Donald Trump is expected to boost infrastructure spending along with policies of protectionism, at a time when the economy is expected to reach levels of full employment.

Meanwhile, the dollar index traded at 103.06, up 0.04 percent, while at 5:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly Dollar Strength Index remained neutral at 99.42 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex