#CPI&JoblessClaimsWatch

A brief look at the latest figures for the US CPI and jobless claims:

Consumer Price Index (CPI):

In March 2025, the overall CPI dipped slightly by 0.1% month-over-month.

The year-over-year inflation rate has now moderated to 2.4%, suggesting a gradual easing of price pressures.

The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased by 0.1% in March and has an annual rate of 2.8%, indicating that while underlying inflation remains steady, it isn’t accelerating.

Jobless Claims:

Initial jobless claims saw a modest increase of 4,000, bringing the total to 223,000 last week.

Despite this slight rise, the level of claims is still historically low, underscoring a resilient labor market.

This marks six consecutive weeks in which claims have remained below 226,000.

Bottom Line:

Inflation is gradually easing, and the labor market continues to show strength, which helps to keep recession fears at bay. This update raises the question: What implications might these figures have for market trends, interest rates, and the Fed's next steps? Let’s take a closer look