In October, the core CPI in the United States exceeded expectations for three consecutive months, with rising costs in energy, services, and AI increasing pressure for interest rate hikes

Inflation data for October in the United States sends multiple warning signals. The data shows that the core CPI rose by 0.3% month-on-month, higher than the market expectation of 0.2%, exceeding expectations for the third consecutive month; the overall CPI rose by 0.4% month-on-month, also above expectations. The impact of rising energy prices is spreading to areas such as food and transportation, and service inflation remains robust, further complicating the Federal Reserve's efforts to control inflation.

Specifically, food prices in the U.S. rose by 0.5% month-on-month in October, with grocery prices recording the largest monthly increase since April; urban transportation service prices saw the largest monthly increase since 2020, and prices for airline tickets and delivery services also increased. Additionally, service prices excluding energy and housing rents rose by 0.4% month-on-month, while owners' equivalent rent increased by 0.3%.

AI investments are bringing new cost pressures. Over the past three months, the annualized price increase for computers and peripheral devices in the U.S. reached 25%, and electricity prices rose by 0.9% month-on-month in October, marking the largest increase in six months. Morgan Stanley estimates that AI-related factors have contributed about 6 basis points to the core CPI this year, with the current impact still relatively limited, but as data center investments expand, related pressures may rise further.

In terms of monetary policy, Chicago Fed President Goolsbee described the latest inflation data as approaching an alarming level. Fed Governor Waller previously stated that if the core CPI month-on-month increase reaches 0.3% or higher, the December meeting should consider raising interest rates by 50 basis points. Goldman Sachs has included a forecast for an additional 25 basis point increase in March 2027, expecting that the target range for the federal funds rate will rise to 4.25% to 4.50%. However, some economists warn that there is a lag in the transmission of energy prices, and over-reliance on current data may lead to excessive tightening of monetary policy.