U.S.
The U.S. inflation rate in December was 3.4 percent compared to the same month last year, according to figures from the US government. This is an increase that was not expected and could postpone a rate cut indefinitely. But the good news is that at the same time there is a good level of employment in the labour market, and this helps to push up inflation. “It is a disappointing inflation report. Consumer prices are rising more than expected, and this sends inflation up to the highest level in three months,” says Allan Sørensen, chief economist at the Confederation of Danish Industries (DI). “The inflation report and the latest US key figures send a rate cut further out on the horizon. Employment is still strong, unemployment low and wage increases high. Together with today’s inflation report, it is still not time to start easing monetary policy,” says Sørensen. /ritzau/