There’s a certain thrill to riding the crest of a wave. The exhilaration of speed, the precarious balance, and the knowledge that a slight miscalculation can send one toppling. It’s an apt metaphor for our economic journey in this era of inflation. Let’s embark on an exploration of this journey, where we’ll find valuable insights, practical advice, and perhaps a bit of that surfing thrill.
The Inflation Pulse: Taking the Economy’s Temperature
In the throes of summer heat, July brought another type of increase: a 3.2% rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) year over year. It was a subtle uptick from June’s 3.0% rise, suggesting that the economic climate is heating up, but at a somewhat predictable rate.
Economists had forecasted a slightly higher increase of 3.3%, hinting at a general expectation of an accelerating economy. However, this expectation was not met, leaving us with a sense of curiosity and anticipation for the future trends.
Reading Between the Percentages: A Look at the Data
Tom Garretson, a Senior Portfolio Strategist at RBC Wealth Management, had his own forecast of a 3.2% increase in CPI. He suggested that this acceleration from June’s change should not cause alarm as it was largely due to year-ago comparisons.
To put it into context, monthly inflation was negative in July 2022, which meant that the year-to-year change appeared higher. In essence, the numbers, while accurate, may paint an exaggerated picture of the current economic situation.
The Cooling Effect: A Twelve-Month Trend
Prior to July’s data release, inflation had been on a cooling trend for twelve straight months. This presented an intriguing contrast to July’s rise in CPI.
It brought to light the unpredictable nature of economic trends and highlighted the importance of staying informed and prepared for potential changes. This cooling trend also raised questions about what could have caused this shift and how long it might last.
A Closer Look at Core CPI: Food and Energy Excluded
When we exclude food and energy from the calculation, Core CPI rose by 4.7% in the twelve months ending in July. This is just shy of the predicted increase of 4.8% and suggests that we are largely on track with predictions despite some fluctuations.
Interestingly, Core CPI had surged by 4.8% year over year in June, hinting at some consistency in this area of inflation. Yet again, the data presented is not merely numbers on a page but clues to a larger economic story.
Shelter: The Lion’s Share of Increase
With a significant year-over-year increase of 7.7%, the shelter index made up over two-thirds of the total increase in all items less food and energy. This was by far the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase.
It’s interesting to note that shelter costs climbed by 0.4% month over month in July, equivalent to the rise in June. This consistent increase in shelter costs suggests a steady demand for housing, reflecting the general stability of this sector.
Food Index: A Plateful of Increases
The food index surged by 4.9% year over year in July. Interestingly, food away from home saw a larger increase year over year than food at home, at 7.1% and 3.6% respectively.
This suggests a shift in consumer behavior, possibly due to a gradual resumption of normal activities after lockdowns and restrictions. It could also indicate increased costs in the restaurant industry, which have been passed on to consumers.
Energy and Used Cars: The Downward Trend
While food prices soared over the 12 months ending July, energy plunged by 12.5% year over year. Used cars and trucks also declined by 5.6% from July of last year to July of this year.
The decline in energy prices might be attributed to a surge in renewable energy sources and enhanced energy-saving technologies. The decrease in used car prices could be due to a variety of factors, including an oversupply from rental car companies and changing consumer preferences.
Real Earnings: The Silver Lining
The 0.2% increase in the month-over-month CPI for July contributed to an uptick in real earnings. Real average hourly earnings were up by 0.3%, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the inflationary trends.
The Fed’s Move: Interest Rate Hike
To counter the inflationary trends, the Fed increased interest rates by 25 basis points in July, following a pause in June. This move was part of a broader strategy to control inflation, demonstrating the Fed’s active role in managing economic trends.
Riding into the Sunset: Concluding Thoughts
Inflation, like the ocean, is unpredictable and powerful. Yet, just as surfers can ride the waves with skill and agility, we too can navigate economic trends with knowledge and foresight. Understanding these trends, deciphering the data, and anticipating changes is not just about surviving the inflation wave—it’s about thriving amidst its undulations. So let’s ride this wave together, armed with insights and ready for whatever twists and turns it may present. Because in the end, isn’t that what makes the ride so exhilarating?