It's not a surprise. Inflation is running hot. But, is it transitory and temporary, or is it real and here for the longer term? How hot will the Federal Reserve let it run, and for how long? When do transitory and cyclical become "secular" and "serious"? These are important questions! The Fed can help with the answers by telling us how they will stem the tide.
In April, the consumer price index was up 4.2% from a year ago; producer prices were up 6.2%. These are huge numbers and reflect COVID pressures and the amount of printed money that Congress insists is good for economic growth.
The Fed has said it thinks the inflation surge, at least when looked at on a year-over-year basis, is overstated because it is built on comparisons to a period when prices were falling during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. They also think any recent pressures are "transitory," caused by supply-chain issues that should go away as the economy continues to recover.
Meanwhile, it has discounted extremely rapid growth in the M2 measure of the money supply. Because central banks around the world have introduced Quantitative Easing in the past decade, with no pick-up in inflation. The Fed thinks any link between money and prices has been broken...Jerome Powell even said we should "unlearn" this idea that money growth causes inflation. Really?!
Clearly, the Fed is dismissing the surge in inflation this year. And Fed forecasts show that it expects inflation to fall back down to its 2.0% target in 2022 and beyond. I don’t agree.
Back in mid-March, the last time the Fed released an economic forecast, it projected PCE inflation of 2.4% this year. We estimate a 0.5% increase for April and, if we're right, we could easily end up getting PCE inflation of 3.0% or more for 2021, well above the Fed's forecast.
So, what we would like to know from the Fed is whether 2021 inflation matters at all. What if PCE inflation for 2021 ends up at 3.5% rather than 2.4%? How about 4.5%? Does the intensity of this year's inflation carry any weight? Or more importantly, do they really care that the average American is being gauged on all levels with higher prices?
Maybe the Fed should say directly or at least signal cryptically (or maybe just leak through its favorite journalists), that it is handing out a one-year dispensation for inflation in 2021. Inflation can skip curfew and stay out to all hours, eat meat on Fridays, party like it's 1999, pretty much do whatever it wants through the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, but then has to get back into 2.0% compliance in 2022. And, if inflation behaves like that...gets back to its 2% target next year, then all is forgiven. If you believe that then….
We would love the Fed to be right about this. But this is not the first time in history the Fed has dismissed an increase in inflation as temporary or unworthy of serious policy attention. The Fed sat back and watched as inflation crept upward in the 1960s and 1970s. They blamed OPEC, the value of the dollar, and a stream of one-off events for temporarily lifting prices. The Fed also thought that persistent unemployment needed to be fixed with more money printing.
The problem is that a lot of inflation always starts with a little bit of inflation. And once the Fed gets into the habit of blaming it on "transitory" events, it runs the risk of becoming more of a long-term issue. My belief is that we need to be prepared for hyperinflation and plan accordingly.
The Fed will next release a policy statement on June 16, followed by the usual press conference. We think it's time to let everyone know how high inflation can go, and for how long, before the Fed would adjust its policies. Don’t expect them to do this as even the Fed has gotten political and hesitates to say anything that may appear negative for the current administration. We have way too much cash chasing too few goods….that is the bottom line and that is inflation pushing forward with a vengeance. This is not a small move. It will be hard to stop once it continues as I believe it will. Stay invested because that is the only way to get ahead of it.
| "This material is provided for general information and is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to compile this material from reliable sources however no warranty can be made as to its accuracy or completeness. The information does not represent, warrant or imply that services, strategies or methods of analysis offered can or will predict future results, identify market tops or bottoms or insulate investors from losses. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Investors should always consult their financial advisor before acting on any information contained in this newsletter. The information provided is for illustrative purposes only. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Geneos Wealth Management, Inc." |