Inflation has emerged as one of the top financial concerns for investors as they size up the economy for the rest of the year. According to research by Deutsche Bank, Google searches for “inflation” are rising rapidly and recently hit a peak not seen since the tracking began 13 years ago.1 Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has said that inflation is likely to pick up as the economy recovers from the pandemic, but he believes it will be temporary. Powell has also stated that the central bank plans to keep short-term rates anchored near zero through 2023.2 At the same time, he has reiterated his adherence to the 2% inflation target. Unfortunately, that guarantees government-supported domestic devaluation of the dollar. "Inflation is caused by too much money chasing after too few goods,” according to Milton Friedman, the well-known American economist who won the 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.3 How much money is too much money? Remember that lawmakers have enacted six major stimulus bills, totaling about $5.3 trillion to help manage the economic burden on families and businesses during the pandemic.4 Whether that will really work remains to be seen. Friedman didn't mention operating the federal printing presses overtime. It definitely creates a burden which will have to be met by younger generations through higher taxes and a more robust economy. Devaluation and inflation amount to the same thing: diminished purchasing power. One piece of wisdom to keep in mind is that the stock market is a discounting mechanism, meaning it attempts to weigh all available present and potential future events to determine its closing price. When there’s uncertainty about the economy, the stock market may be more volatile while it searches for answers.5 However, do not assume that volatility is necessarily bad. Markets can also provide a hedge against inflation. Is the near-term worry about inflation a boogeyman to be dismissed? For the shorter-term, maybe yes. Long-term, absolutely not! Inflation should not be viewed as a short-term problem. Instead, it should be seen as an inevitable trend that can sometimes be harnessed. If you are concerned about the outlook for inflation, as I am, please give us a call. We’d welcome the chance to hear your perspective, and hopefully, we can provide some guidance. |
1. Yahoo.com, March 17, 2021 ________________________________________________ |
Forecasts such as the Fed’s plans to keep short-term rates anchored near zero are based on assumptions and subject to revision. Financial, economic, political, and regulatory issues may cause the actual results to differ from the expectations expressed. Investing involves risks. Investment decisions should be based on your personal goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return on and value of investments will fluctuate as markets change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. |
Inflation Boogeyman??
April 27, 2021