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Uh Oh: Consumer Price Inflation Heating Up Fast Back in September 2020, we reported on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's inability to see a "hidden" inflation offset in energy that camouflaged the rise in overall inflation. That "hidden" inflation offset has now vanished, and overall inflation appears to be heating up quickly. Anyone can see it. Robert Wenzel wrote that price inflation is coming in hot, and in his second update he put a spotlight on gas prices:
That's a pretty big difference. And to see it for yourself, all you have to do is go to the gas station. Alternately, take a look at the AAA National Average Gas Prices chart. Here's a quick summary of the CPI report:
Only 0.5% inflation per month? That's 6% per year. Retirement savers take note: at 6% annual inflation, today's saved dollar loses about half its value in 10 years. Over at TheStreet, Mike Shedlock says inflation is rampant and obvious. Why can't the Fed see it? Wolf Richter shows how the inflation spike would be twice as bad if home prices and durable goods prices were properly measured. Even Steve Hanke, a notable economist from Johns Hopkins, had something to say on Twitter about Federal Reserve Chairman Powell's apparent inability to acknowledge the dramatic rise in inflation already taking shape:
You can also see the massive increase in energy price inflation for yourself thanks to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To put things in a broader perspective, food price inflation has been running consistently high, between 3.5% and 4.5% since April 2020 (when the effects of state authorized economic shutdownsbegan to be felt). Until now, however, energy price inflation still had yet to catch upwith other rising prices. Now that it has, you might expect Powell to change his tune? Powell in denial, dollar strength at risk It's possible to picture Fed executives with their fingers in their ears, not wanting to hear anything about the recent jump in energy and overall inflation. Especially when you read Powell's response:
As usual, time will tell if Powell has the correct expectation. But based on his track record, you could potentially make a case against his reaction. Furthermore, as expected with increasing inflation, the dollar's purchasing power continues to tumble since the start of the Great Recession. According to Jeff Cox at CNBC, this isn't that big a deal: "Still, markets have been pricing in higher growth and inflation." Here's the thing: when markets are expecting and therefore "pricing in" higher inflation, it's usually a strong signal that more inflation is on the way. Here's why this matters: we've discussed before that, even though hyperinflation is scary, the real threat to your savings is plain old, garden-variety inflation. Powell might "have his head in the sand," as Hanke mentioned. But you don't have to follow Powell's lead ... Hedge against "white-hot" inflation while you still can As the discussion about increasing price inflation continues, it's a good idea to take a few minutes to assess your own situation. And it's smart to remember what Jim Rickards said about who wins and who loses when inflation bites:
Ask yourself: "Are my retirement savings prepared to weather the storm? Will my purchasing power melt away under inflation?" Then examine your portfolio. Assess your risk profile. Double check your asset allocation, and diversify as you feel necessary. Consider whether your current savings plan would put you on the side of Rickards's "winners" or "losers." While you're doing that, consider whether or not to add some precious metals like gold and silver. They have a long and proven history of providing a hedge against inflation.
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