Posts Tagged ‘cpi’Inflation: What is it Good For?This post first appeared in the SPECIAL EDITION: Cirios Trends: A Decade in Flux << PREVIOUS At the heart of some of the most contentious debates in the otherwise drab world of macroeconomic theory is that of inflation (yes, there are in fact contentious debates about macroeconomic theory). To wit, economics can’t even agree on [...] Historical Macro DataUS Median Home Price 1965-2009 Gray area is “Inflation” period of 1972-1983, 201% total increase in home prices during that 12 year period, or 10.5% annually. (click image to enlarge) Consumer Price Index 1965-2009 Gray area is “Inflation” period of 1972-1983, 147% total increase in CPI during that 12 year period, or 8.5% annually. (click [...] Deflation Still Clear and Present DangerBy ANDREW JEFFERY This post first appeared on Minyanville. Deflation, the economic beast many feared would devour the next decade, appears to have been vanquished. Or has it? Superficial signs of renewed inflation are everywhere: Oil prices appear to be stabilizing, and concern is growing about future supply shortages (which, by extension, could lead to [...] Falling Rents Signal DeflationBy ANDREW JEFFERY This post first appeared on Minyanville. In recent months, headlines have been popping up noting that rents – finally – are beginning to follow home prices into the abyss. Since the housing market began to crumble, would-be homeowners were forced to become renters, keeping demand for rental units relatively strong even as home prices [...] |