- Eurozone September final CPI +3.8% vs +3.8% y/y prelim
- Prior +3.2%
- Eurozone September final core CPI +2.5% vs +2.5% y/y prelim
- Prior +2.4%
There are no changes to the preliminary estimates, with euro area headline inflation confirmed to have surged to 3.8% in September. That marks a notable acceleration from the 3.2% estimate in August, with energy price inflation being the main culprit. Of note, energy prices were up 4.0% monthly and 18.9% annually in September (as compared to 14.3% annually in August).
While the ECB may be able to look past the acceleration in headline prices, it will be tough for policymakers to keep brushing aside further increases in core inflation. The annual estimate here is seen rising to 2.5% from 2.4% previously. And that owes much to a further increase in services inflation, up to 3.2% in September from 3.0% in August.
The final report here continues to reaffirm the narrative that the ECB cannot rest on its laurels as we look towards the final stretch of the year. Inflation pressures are heating up and with economic conditions as well as fiscal risks intensifying, policymakers will have a rather challenging task in trying to balance all of that heading into next year.
This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.