US: Focus on import prices today - TDS

Analysts at TD Securities are expecting the US import prices to advance 0.4% m/m in March, a tad lower from February's 0.6% print but still higher than last year's monthly average.

Key Quotes

“Thanks to favorable base effects, March's monthly gain should lift the annual rate higher to -0.6% from -1.3% y/y before. The headline's monthly increase will likely reflect a gain in petroleum prices as the measure ex-petroleum is expected to have declined 0.1% m/m in March.”

“Separately, consensus expects Mich's sentiment report to show a minor decline in its index to a still firm 98.2 level in April from 98.4 before. Market participants are likely to focus on the inflation expectations components, particularly in the 5-10yr measure as it has recently flirted with all-time lows.”