Invisible Inflation

While the economy is improving, inflation is MIA. Wages adjusted for inflation were up just 0.3% in 2012 after falling 1% in 2011. Meanwhile, the CPI and core CPI (excluding food and energy) were up 1.7% and 1.9% respectively in 2012. Similarly, the producer price index (PPI) and core PPI were up just 1.3% and…

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QE3 Despite Drought

Despite inevitably higher food prices starting this fall, stemming from a severe drought, the Fed will ignore this when they launch a third round of Quantitative Easing in September. It’s because the drought is a short-term event that will probably reverse itself in ‘13. Moreover, groceries are barely 7% of the average family budget, and…

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