CPI January 2024: Some good news on inflation, but too early to celebrate.

Inflation is now in the target range, which is good news for the Bank of Canada. But the Bank is also acutely aware of the stickiness of core measures and the impact elevated shelter prices. That’s why they will likely keep their policy stable until price pressures abate enough to account for those large contributions that shelter prices are having – and will continue to have – moving forward. All this is making the return to target more difficult. But should the economy and labour market remain buoyant, timing is surely in the Bank’s favour.
Andrew DiCapua, Senior Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Headline

Canada’s headline CPI inflation grew 2.9% in January (below the consensus of 3.3%) on a year-over-year basis. The first inflation print of the year is welcome news and aided by lower gasoline prices last year. Headline inflation is now within the Bank of Canada’s target range of 1-3% for the first time since last June. On a monthly basis, the unadjusted CPI was unchanged.
The Bank of Canada’s core measures of underlying inflation grew 3.4% year-over-year, down from 3.7% in December. The 3-month change annualized for core measures is running at a pace of 3.2%.

CPI Components

Shelter prices remain high with prices in January increasing 6.2%, primarily driven by rent once again growing (+7.9%).
Gasoline prices were down 4% on a yearly basis, which helped bring down the energy component of CPI to -2.7% in January.
Goods inflation continues to slow, growing 1.3% in January, coming from a stronger 2.4% growth in December. Services inflation is much higher and grew 4.2% in January, down slightly from 4.3% in December.
Food prices made further progress, declining to 3.9% in January. Grocery prices decelerated to 3.4% growth, from 4.6% in December. Restaurant food prices remain elevated, growing 5.1% in January, down from 5.6% in December.

Provincial and Regional Inflation

Prices decelerated in all parts of the country, except for Alberta, which saw inflation accelerate from 3% to 3.4%.

SENTIMENT, OUTLOOK AND IMPLICATIONS

Bank of Canada

January CPI data was roughly in line with the Bank of Canada’s Monetary Policy Report, published at their January decision meeting. The Bank was forecasting 3% year-over-year growth in January, reaching 3.3% by March 2024.
Considering the Bank’s forecast for inflation was in line with January’s print, we don’t expect a rate move at their March meeting. February inflation won’t be available before the Bank’s March meeting, and they’ll need to see three solid months of progress to feel confident with the trend. We continue to expect the Bank to consider a rate cut in the spring, at the earliest.