US DATA: Feb CPI unchanged, core +0.1%, better than the +0.2% that was
expected for both; energy -0.5%, gasoline -1.4%, food +0.1%. Both rents
measures unchanged and apparel -0.7. Only noteworthy acceleration
outside of apparel’s +0.7%, which was all seasonal adjust, was in
used cars and medical. The 12-mos CPI core +1.3%, lowest since Feb 2004.
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US DATA:Initial jobless claims -5k to 457k in Mar. 13 wk, very
close to the MNI median forecast of 455k. Unadjusted claims decreased
-28,083 to 432,166, and the 4-wk moving average was 471.250. Cont claims
rose +12,000 to 4.579 mln in Mar 6 week.