US CPI inflation report for March was released today at 1:30 pm BST. Report was expected to show an acceleration in headline measure as well as a slowdown in core CPI. Also, monthly inflation increase were expected to moderate after two months of 0.4% readings.
Actual report turned out to be a hawkish surprise. This is another hawkish surprise in a row, after data for January and February also surprised to the upside. Annual core CPI inflation unexpectedly stayed unchanged compared to a month ago, while headline inflation accelerated more than expected.
The reading was hawkish all across the board and is unlikely to give Fed more confidence to cut rates. Having said that a hawkish reaction in the markets should not come as a surprise - USD gains while gold and equity indices slumped.
US, CPI inflation for March
- Headline (annual): 3.5% YoY vs 3.4% YoY expected (3.2% YoY previously)
- Headline (monthly): 0.4% MoM vs 0.3% MoM expected (0.4% MoM previously)
- Core (annual): 3.8% YoY vs 3.7% YoY expected (3.8% YoY previously)
- Core (monthly): 0.4% MoM vs 0.3% MoM expected (0.4% MoM previously)
USD jumped following another hawkish surprise in US CPI data. EURUSD slumped below 1.08 mark following the release. Source: xStation5


Fed presents its semi-annual report. Stocks are expensive but no bubble?
Economic Calendar: SK Hynix and the Canadian job market are the highlights of the day 💡
Morning wrap🚩 Wall Street resists oil pressure amid rising Middle East tensions (09.07.2026)
FOMC Minutes: Hawkish tone confirmed. EURUSD rebounds nonetheless