Sunday, July 30, 2023

Shocking Charts Show Inflation Is Still Red Hot

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CPI is a broad average number that means more to economists and politicians than the average person. There are many items that still more expensive than ever or still have a blistering rate of increase in prices.


Start with the basics: Food and shelter...

Rent +8.5 Y/Y

Increasing at rates not seen since 1980. This rapid rise in pricing has not been seen in 40 years. The pandemic created a massive shortage in housing and unaffordable prices in housing driving more people than ever to rent driving up demand.


Source: BofA Research

BofA chart confirms Fed data showing a massive gap in average inflation of rental prices and prices remaining high.


Electricity  +6% Y/Y

Although the rate of increase as dropped dramatically in the past year, electricity has not been risen at this pace since January 2009.

Groceries, Food at home +5% Y/Y

Prices have dropped considerably over the past year but increase rates are at 2012 levels.



Water, sewage and trash services +5.75% Y/Y

Beginning in 2019, prices to remove trash, provide water and process sewage have been soaring at a rate not seen since 2013


Have a car? 

Thats expensive too:



Auto Insurance Premiums +10.5% Y/Y

Insuring your car is more expensive than it’s ever been.


Gasoline Prices have been surging in July approaching $3. More expensive than a year ago


Discretionary Items. 

Having fun? That's expensive too.



Restaurants, food away from home +8% 

Eating out has not been this expensive since 1982, a massive increase.



Alcohol +4.5% Y/Y

Alcohol has not been this expensive since the early 90’s



Movies, theaters and concert tickets +6% Y/Y have not been this expensive in 20 years.



Source: Stubhub

Want to see Taylor Swift this summer? Good luck. Tickets are going for nearly $800 for nose-bleed seats - behind the stage.


Need vitamin C?



Orange prices are up +176% in 3 years. More expensive than in 30 years.


Sources: FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Database), Trading Economics, Stubhub