Labor costs in the United States surged in the first quarter, outpacing expectations and signaling persistent wage pressures that are contributing to elevated inflation levels. The Employment Cost Index, a key metric monitored closely by the Federal Reserve, rose by 1.2%, marking the most significant increase in a year, according to figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday.
The robust uptick in labor costs has sparked concerns among economists and investors, exacerbating worries about the Federal Reserve’s ability to rein in inflation to its target levels. Stock-index futures declined, Treasury yields rose, and the dollar strengthened in response to the latest data.
Robert Sockin, Senior Global Economist at Citigroup Inc(NYSE:C)., highlighted the challenges facing the Fed, noting that the 1.2% increase in the ECI underscores the persistence of inflationary pressures, which diverge from the Fed’s objectives.
The surge in employment costs was widespread across various sectors, with notable advances observed in public administration, hospitals, and manufacturing. On an annual basis, the ECI climbed by 4.2%, mirroring the previous quarter’s increase.
While several earnings metrics are available, economists favor the ECI due to its resilience against distortions caused by shifts in employment composition. Moreover, it serves as the Fed’s preferred gauge of wage growth.
Wages and salaries for civilian workers increased by 1.1% for the third consecutive quarter, rising by 4.4% year-over-year, buoyed by minimum-wage hikes in several US states.
Adjusted for inflation, private-industry compensation rose by 0.6% from the previous year, with wages increasing by 0.8%. Strong job market conditions, coupled with positive real earnings growth, have underpinned consumer demand, sustaining economic resilience despite recent moderation in growth.
Wages for service workers in the private sector surged by 1.2% from the previous quarter, while compensation in goods-producing industries also recorded a notable increase of 1.2%, signaling robust labor demand.
However, despite these wage pressures, an influx of immigrants, women, and older workers has bolstered the labor supply, helping to alleviate some strains on the job market.
While certain indicators suggest softer wage growth, such as the Atlanta Fed’s wage growth tracker, which has cooled since its peak in 2022, the overall trajectory of labor costs underscores ongoing inflationary challenges for the Federal Reserve.
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