But history has shown that inflation is stubborn and can last longer than expected once it becomes elevated and entrenched. "We can feel confident that inflation is moving in the right direction," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. For instance, housing-related costs, which make up about one-third of the inflation index weighting, are dropping. In particular, they don't want to declare 'mission accomplished' too soon," he said Wednesday during an interview on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." watch nowAt the macro level, the Fed rate hikes have appeared to do minimal damage.

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Persons: Mandel Ngan, Dow Jones, Mark Zandi, Zandi, they're, Richard Clarida isn't, Clarida, Joe Biden, Patrick Reilly, Banks, Reilly, John Williams of, Patrick Harker Organizations: AFP, Getty, Federal Reserve, CPI, Moody's, Federal, of Labor Statistics, AAA, Atlanta Fed, CNBC, America Economic Survey Locations: Bethesda , Maryland, John Williams of New York, Philadelphia