You Decide: Are There Good Answers to Your Inflation Questions?

By Mike Walden

According to polls, inflation is the number one issue in the country. This is understandable. The most recent data show the inflation rate during the past year was 7.5%. In the 21^st century, the annual inflation rate was above 3% only four times, and it never rose more than 4% until last year.   

In this column, I will answer several questions about inflation. Hopefully my answers will help you understand what inflation is, how it impacts you, and what can be done to moderate inflation’s impacts.

What is inflation?

Inflation is the average increase in the prices of common products and services we purchase. Price changes of products and services that are more important to our budgets receive greater weight on the average. Inflation is usually expressed as an annual percentage. So, a 7.5% inflation rate means the average weighted price of products and services rose 7.5% over the year.

Why are we concerned about inflation?

Inflation increases the cost of living. If your income rises less than the inflation rate, then your standard of living falls. Hence, if your income rose less than 7.5% in the last year, then economically, you fell behind.

When was the last time the inflation rate was as high as today?

In 1981, the inflation rate was 10.3%. In 1980, it was 13.5%.

Are there other countries experiencing a high inflation rate today?

Yes, several countries are enduring higher inflation rates, such as Germany and the UK at near 6%, Mexico at 7%, and Russia at almost 9%. But, at least we’re lower than Cuba’s 77% inflation rate and Venezuela’s recent 472% inflation rate.

What’s caused the jump in the inflation rate?

There are two reasons. First is continuing problems with the “supply chain.” This simply means it’s taking longer to get many products to sellers’ shelves. Also, the on-going shortage of workers is adversely impacting the availability of some services. Lower supply of many products and services means those that are available are worth more, which results in their prices being higher.

The second reason has resulted from the generous federal stimulus programs during the past two years. In 2020 and 2021, the federal government appropriated over $5 trillion in a variety of programs to help households, businesses and institutions survive in the pandemic. The result is that there is money to spend. As consumers attempt to spend the money on a limited amount of products and services, their actions put further upward pressure on prices.

Can’t the government simply control price changes?

Forty years ago, price controls were imposed by the federal government to deal with a similar inflation situation. There were two problems that emerged as a result. Changes in prices serve as signals to tell firms how to adjust production to eliminate both surpluses and shortages. Controls on prices eliminate this important function. Also, some firms used schemes and even fraud to get around the controls. When the price controls were removed, the inflation rate tripled.

Some argue increased government spending would decrease the inflation rate. Is this true? 

Government spending that increases the supply of products and services, encourages more people to work, and makes workers more productive would moderate price increases.  However, many of these programs take time to work, so the effect on inflation is not immediate.  A good example is educational and training efforts designed to improve the productivity of current and future workers.

Then what can the government do to curtail inflation?

The government agency that can have the quickest impact is the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), which is the central bank of the country. To reduce the inflation rate, the Fed will want to moderate consumer spending. The Fed will do this by raising interest rates – thereby making it more expensive for people to borrow and spend – as well as by pulling cash out of the economy.

Are these actions by the Fed guaranteed to work?

The Fed certainly has the tools to slow the economy and reduce the inflation rate. The problem is their actions can put the economy in reverse – meaning a recession. This is what happened forty years ago when the inflation rate was in double digits. The Fed was able to reduce the inflation rate from 13% to 3% within three years, but the cost was two recessions in those three years.

How will these actions impact investments?

Typically, the stock market reacts negatively to increases in interest rates. An exception is if equity investors expect the interest rate hikes will quickly subdue inflation. However, if stock market investors expect the Fed’s actions will bring on a recession, stock prices would likely fall.  

Inflation hasn’t been a big worry in the economy for four decades, so many individuals are witnessing the debates about inflation for the first time. Hopefully my questions and answers will help you decide how to respond to the ongoing inflation battle.

Walden is a Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University.