Near-term inflation pressures mount

Near-term inflationary pressures appear to be building. Some of this reflects factors that are likely to be only temporary, such as the “reopening inflation” associated with the easing of virus-related restrictions. We also think the broad-based rally in commodity prices will go into reverse later this year. But there is a risk that shortages of commodities could constrain the production of goods and services, leading to a more broad-based rise in inflation. So far, there is most evidence of a rise in underlying price pressures in the US, which is consistent with our forecast of a prolonged upward shift in core inflation there.