The S&P 500 (SPX) is trading lower on Thursday following the release of OpenBrand’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for durable and personal goods. With the government shutdown halting the release of federal inflation data, more emphasis is placed on private-sector reports to gauge price movements.
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During September, consumer durables and personal goods increased by 0.58% month-over-month, accelerating from a rise of 0.45% in August. The uptick was led by a 0.76% jump in both personal care and communication goods. OpenBrand’s CPI indicator has now risen for 10 consecutive months.
End of De Minimis Exemption Lifts Small Goods Prices
In August, the U.S. ended the “de minimis” exemption, which enabled duty-free entry for goods valued under $800. That likely led to higher prices for smaller goods.
On the other hand, items excluded from de minimis treatment due to their higher costs, like appliances, saw a price deceleration in September, showing “a possible sign that the impacts of tariffs on these product groups may be starting to wane,” said OpenBrand.
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