The Fed is 'behind yet again' as hot inflation data signals bad news for stocks, bonds and economy, Mohamed El-Erian says
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- More hot inflation data is putting the Fed "behind yet again," according to economist Mohamed El-Erian.
- He told Bloomberg TV on Friday that the latest reading is "bad news across the board."
- He added that the central bank could move to a 50-basis-point rate hike at the next FOMC meeting.
Another hot inflation report is placing the Federal Reserve "behind yet again," according to top economist Mohamed El-Erian.
That came after the personal consumption expenditures report, the central bank's preferred measure of inflation, showed prices increased 0.6% in January from the prior month, topping expectations and further elevating concerns that the Fed must remain hawkish for longer.
"This is bad news is bad news. And it's bad news across the board. It's bad for the economy. It's bad for livelihoods. It's bad for bonds. It's bad for stocks. It is just bad news," El-Erian told Bloomberg TV on Friday.
Central banks will likely have "a very serious discussion" about whether they should have increased the fed funds rate by 50 basis points at the last policy meeting and if their next rate hike should be 50 basis points, he added.
Earlier this month, the Fed raised benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points, marking a continued slowdown in the tightening pace after a half-point increase in December that followed four consecutive 75-basis-point hikes.
The ratcheting down of tightening came amid signs that inflation was coming off its peak and cooling further, with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell highlighting the "disinflation" trend repeatedly at the last meeting.
But now the narrative has changed.
"I think even this word 'disinflation' can't be said anymore. Inflation is heading the wrong way," El-Erian said.