WASHINGTON: US monthly inflation was unchanged in May as a modest increase in the cost of services was offset by the largest drop in goods prices in six months, drawing the Federal Reserve closer to start cutting interest rates later this year. The report from the Commerce Department on Friday also showed consumer spending rose marginally last month. Underlying prices advanced at the slowest pace in six months, raising optimism that the US central bank could engineer a much-desired “soft landing” for the economy in which inflation cools without triggering a recession and a sharp rise in unemployment.

Traders raised their bets for a Fed rate cut in September. “This was a very Fed-friendly report that should keep the September rate cut in play, while at the same time increasing investor confidence that moderate economic growth can be maintained even as rates stay higher for longer,” said Scott Anderson, chief U.S. economist at BMO Capital Markets. “The sharp slowdown in core inflation is just what the doctor needed to see to keep the economy on the soft-landing glide-path.”

The flat reading in the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index last month followed an unrevised 0.3 percent gain in April, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis said. It was the first time in six months that PCE inflation was unchanged. Goods prices fell 0.4 percent, the biggest drop since November.

There were big declines in prices of recreational goods and vehicles as well as furnishings and durable household equipment. The price of gasoline and other energy goods dropped 3.4 percent, the biggest slide in six months. Clothing and footwear were also cheaper, while food prices rose marginally.

The cost of services increased 0.2 percent, lifted by higher prices for housing and utilities as well as healthcare. Financial services and insurance costs declined 0.3 percent after rising for five straight months. These costs, together with housing, have been among the major drivers of services inflation.

In the 12 months through May, the PCE price index increased 2.6 percent after advancing 2.7 percent in April. Last month’s inflation readings were in line with economists’ expectations.

Inflation is receding after spiking in the first quarter as 525 basis points worth of rate hikes from the Fed since 2022 cool domestic demand. Inflation, however, continues to run above the central bank’s 2 percent target. Financial markets saw a roughly 68 percent chance that the Fed’s policy easing would start in September compared to about 64 percent before the data, though policymakers recently adopted a more hawkish outlook. The US central bank has maintained its benchmark overnight interest rate in the current 5.25 percent-5.50 percent range since last July. Economists were divided on whether the Fed would still reduce borrowing costs twice this year amid solid wage growth. The release of the US employment report for June next Friday could shed more light on the monetary policy outlook.

Stocks on Wall Street were trading largely higher. The dollar was little changed against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury prices were mixed.

Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the PCE price index edged up 0.1 percent last month, the smallest gain since November. That followed an upwardly revised 0.3 percent rise in April.

The so-called core PCE price index was previously reported to have climbed 0.2 percent in April. Core inflation increased 2.6 percent on a year-on-year basis in May, the smallest advance since March 2021, after rising 2.8 percent in April. It rose at a 2.7 percent annualized rate over the past three months, slowing from a 3.5 percent pace in April.

The Fed tracks the PCE price measures for its inflation target. Monthly inflation readings of 0.2 percent over time are necessary to bring inflation back to target. PCE services inflation excluding energy and housing also ticked up 0.1 percent last month after advancing 0.3 percent in April. This measure is being watched by policymakers to measure progress in lowering price pressures.

Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, increased 0.2 percent last month after rising 0.1 percent in April, the report also showed. Spending was supported by a 0.3 percent gain in services, mostly outlays on hospital care, housing and utilities as well as air transportation. Services spending increased 0.4 percent in April. Goods spending rebounded 0.2 percent, lifted by outlays on prescription medication, recreational goods and vehicles, and clothing and footwear. Spending on goods fell 0.5 percent in April. Inflation fatigue, higher borrowing costs as well as the exhaustion of excess savings accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic are holding back spending. Nonetheless, consumer spending remains underpinned by a resilient labor market, which continues to generate strong wage gains. Personal income increased 0.5 percent after climbing 0.3 percent in April. Wages shot up 0.7 percent, which some economists said could concern policymakers.

Income at the disposal of households after accounting for inflation and taxes rose a solid 0.5 percent. Consumers saved more, lifting the saving rate to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent in April.

Spending adjusted for inflation rebounded 0.3 percent after slipping 0.1 percent in April. The rise in the so-called real consumer spending left growth in consumption this quarter on track to match the first quarter’s 1.5 percent pace. The Atlanta Fed is currently estimating gross domestic product to rise at a 2.2 percent rate in the second quarter. The economy grew at a 1.4 percent pace in the first quarter.

“There was no inflation in May, but there was also no indication of the kind of soft demand - undermined by slower income growth - the Fed believes necessary to keep inflation on a low track,” said Chris Low, chief economist at FHN Financial. — Reuters