Goldman Sachs: CPI basically meets expectations, the Federal Reserve retains the option to raise interest rates

Goldman Sachs economist Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo stated: "Today's CPI largely meets expectations, which on the surface is the result investors hoped for, but it indeed heightens the suspense for next week's interest rate decision. The challenge is that the data does not fully reflect the recent emergence of some inflationary pressures, and there is little evidence that inflation is returning to target in the short term. The survey period for this report predates the latest round of energy price increases and also predates the surge in commodities spreading from energy to metals and agriculture. Today's inflation data does not eliminate the possibility of stronger price pressures emerging in the future.

In summary, today's data that meets expectations will allow the Federal Reserve to keep the option of raising interest rates, but it will not be forced to act, so the market may focus more on Waller's communications, energy prices, labor market data, and what happens next, rather than on what was released today."