Fed researchers are asking if this chart means the market thinks oil prices will stay low forever

Will oil prices stay low forever?

In a new post, researchers at the St. Louis Fed ask if this chart - comparing inflation expectations in 5 years with the price of crude oil - means the market thinks the drop in oil prices is permanent.

Michael Owyang and Hannah Shell of the St. Louis Fed write:

While oil prices can pass through and affect other prices, the almost one-to-one movements in the two series seem to be unusual. Pass-through from oil to other prices is incomplete. If the price increase in oil was deemed to be temporary, the 5-year inflation rate would not move in unison with oil prices (little pass-through). In this case, it appears there's at least some belief that the change in oil prices will persist, as there is substantial pass-through.

In her latest press conference, Fed chair Janet Yellen said she expects the impact to inflation from oil prices will be transitory.

But this chart seems to be telling a different story.

(via The FRED Blog)