Tales of Inflation

 As a kid I fondly remember sitting around hearing stories from my parents’ childhoods.   While I gave some stories more credence than others, there were many interesting lessons to learn if you could get past the obvious embellishments.  For example, even at a young age, I recognized it was impossible to walk up hill all the way both ways to school if there was only one route to take.  However, other stories show the power inflation can have on our buying power as is exhibited in the chart below.  Perhaps Dad wasn’t embellishing when he said a candy bar only cost a nickel.

The chart shows that $1 today only purchases what a nickel would have purchased in 1871 and again in 1933!  While inflation is quite low right now (1.4% as of the June 18^th 2013 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) it likely won’t stay this way forever as history has shown.  Inflation can have a devastating effect on retirement planning if your plan and asset allocation aren’t structured to handle it. 

Someday, while my daughter may never believe I lived without an iPad (or whatever the advanced version is at that time), she will surely roll her eyes at the idea that a Starbucks latte cost less than $5 in 2013! So, while I suggest properly planning for inflation, you might also collect a little evidence in the here and now to back up your stories down the road.

Angela Palacios, CFP®is the Portfolio Manager at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Angela specializes in Investment and Macro economic research. She is a frequent contributor to Money Centered as well asinvestment updates at The Center.

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The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material.

The 3 Missing Bull Market Killers

 Every day I get questions from clients regarding the market being high.  Yes, the market’s nominal price is at an all-time high.  But consider the following situation: Over 20 years, with an average annual gain of 9% per year, the equity market could be looking at a DOW JONES average in the 80,000 range.  Twenty years ago the Dow Jones was hovering around 3,500 and since then we have had a 12 year period when the Dow did not make a new high, but still averaged almost 9% a year.   

The three things that tend to kill a bull market are inflation, interest rates, and valuations, and none of them are present yet.

A Look at Inflation

Notice that we are tracking at one of the lowest rates in history. You’ll see the Consumer price Index is well below the 10-year average. Just compare the difference between the price level of consumer goods and services in 2013 and in early 1980’s:

Sources: Bloomberg and Legg Mason. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance.  Individual investor’s results will vary. The graph above is for illustrative purposes only and is not reflective an actual investment.

I don’t think I would be the first to remind you that interest rates are still at the lowest levels in history. This chart tracks interest rates and inflation as both trended down in recent years.

Interest Rates and Inflation

And when looking at the final potential bull killer, equity valuations, you’ll see the measures are in line with historical averages.  Not expensive and not cheap.

Equity Valuations

History as our guide would tell us that until all three or at least one of the bull market killers are present this bull is still alive and well.

Matthew E. Chope, CFP ® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Matt has been quoted in various investment professional newspapers and magazines. He is active in the community and his profession and helps local corporations and nonprofits in the areas of strategic planning and money and business management decisions. In 2012 and 2013, Matt was named to the Five Star Wealth Managers list in Detroit Hour magazine.

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Five Star Award is based on advisor being credentialed as an investment advisory representative (IAR), a FINRA registered representative, a CPA or a licensed attorney, including education and professional designations, actively employed in the industry for five years, favorable regulatory and complaint history review, fulfillment of firm review based on internal firm standards, accepting new clients, one- and five-year client retention rates, non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered, number of client households served.

The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.  Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is an index representing 30 stocks of companies maintained and reviewed by the editors of the Wall Street Journal.