A confluence of events and policy shifts has coalesced into a unique opportunity for middle market firms to make long-term strategic investments in their firms. Interest rates, once adjusted for inflation, reside in negative terrain. … READ MORE >
inflation
CHART OF THE DAY: Inflation poses little risk to the U.S. economic outlook
The inflation rate ticked up to 1.4% in December and the yield on 10-year Treasuries remained above 1% for the sixth straight day on Wednesday. These should be considered small victories in the normalization of the economy after a rough nine months of the pandemic. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: A key measure of future inflation implies disinflation risks
The Federal Reserve’s preferred forward-looking inflation metric — called the five-year, five-year forward break-even inflation rate — implies that pricing risks to the economic outlook revolve around disinflation, not inflation, over the next 10 years. … READ MORE >
Monetary policy and inflation in the modern era
By adopting a flexible average inflation target, the Fed is using its most important tool — forward guidance – to infuse confidence in investors and the general public that it will do all it can to sustain the economic recovery needed in the wake of the coronavirus. … READ MORE >
Consumer Price Index: Modest increase in prices, inflation expectations well anchored
Strong demand for transportation and energy, which increased by 1.3% and 0.9% in August, were the primary catalysts for the 0.4% increase in the Consumer Price Index. The all-important core CPI excluding food and energy rose by a similar amount. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Middle market retailers pay close attention to inflation as pandemic progresses
Many RSM clients have reported that inflation has been, and continues to be top of mind for them. The data supports what we’ve heard. Throughout the pandemic, the cost of food at home has been the mirror image of the Consumer Price index. … READ MORE >
June Consumer Price Index: Inflation not a risk to near-term economic outlook
Rising energy and gasoline prices accounted for roughly half of the 0.6% increase month over month inside the June Consumer Price Index report and should prove transient due to easing demand on the back of an intensifying pandemic. … READ MORE >
Fed policy bumps up against muted inflation expectations: Data point to ‘lower for longer’ inflation
The Federal Reserve’s April policy meeting featured an in-depth discussion around risks to the economic outlook from falling inflation and current inflation expectations. The central bank’s current policy framework has set a 2 percent inflation target. Meanwhile, core inflation has eased to 1.6 percent, well below the Fed’s target, while … … READ MORE >