Energy and food costs are very high year-over-year with food costs spiking
In mid-August, we received news that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in July, after rising 1.3% in June. To many economists, this was welcome news, as most were predicting a slight increase.
But before we think that inflation has plateaued and might start trending downwards, let’s remember that one month of data does not make a trend. Especially when over the last 12 months, inflation has increased at a very high 8.5%.
Look at The Details, Not Just Headlines
Unpacking the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (they compile the Consumer Price Index data), shows us that:
- The gasoline index fell 7.7% in July and offset increases in the food and shelter indexes, resulting in the all items index being unchanged over the month.
- The energy index fell 4.6% over the month as the indexes for gasoline and natural gas declined, but the index for electricity increased.
- The food index continued to rise, increasing 1.1% over the month as the food at home index rose 1.3%.
Lots of Inflation Indices Were Up in July
Further, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
“The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3% in July, a smaller increase than in April, May, or June. The indexes for shelter, medical care, motor vehicle insurance, household furnishings and operations, new vehicles, and recreation were among those that increased over the month. There were some indexes that declined in July, including those for airline fares, used cars and trucks, communication, and apparel.
Yes, the Consumer Price Index “only” increased 8.5% for the 12 months ending July, a smaller figure than the 9.1% increase for the period ending June. But:
- The all items less food and energy index rose 5.9% over the last 12 months.
- The energy index increased 32.9% for the 12 months ending July, a smaller increase than the 41.6% increase for the period ending June.
- The food index increased 10.9% over the last year, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending May 1979.”
Inflation: The Retirement Killer
Inflation decreases the purchasing power of your money in the future and unfortunately, many don’t factor inflation into their retirement plans.
Consider this: at 3% inflation, $100 today will be worth $67.30 in 20 years – a loss of 1/3 its value.
Said another way, that same $100 will only buy you $67.30 worth of goods and services in 20 years. And in 35 years? Well your $100 will be reduced to just $34.44.
What Investors Need to Remember
Therefore, it is imperative that your long-term retirement strategies account for inflation and
that you prepare for a decrease in the purchasing power of your dollar over time. You should strongly consider assuming that inflation will be more than 3% – its historical average.
It’s true that inflation today hovers over 8% – quadruple the Federal Reserve’s target inflation rate – but a better assumption might be one based on the last 100-years of data.
If you’re wrong and you find that the inflation rate for the next 25 years turns out to be 2%, then the purchasing power of your retirement savings will be more, not less.
Your financial professional can create models with various inflation scenarios so you can better understand – and account for – inflation’s true impact to your retirement.
Important Disclosures
Content in this material is for educational and general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
All indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and, subsequently, purchasing power is falling.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
This article was prepared by FMeX.
LPL Tracking #1-05316470