Why Inflation Is So Hard To Get Rid Of

Everything is more expensive. Overall consumer prices are about 13% higher than they were in April 2021 and Americans are feeling the pain. Inflation, or the rate prices are increasing in the general economy, has been a persistent problem the past two years. The Federal Reserve had hoped inflation would normalize as the pandemic’s volatility subsided, but prices have stubbornly stayed well above its 2% goal. Watch the video above to learn why inflation sticks around and what we can do about it.

Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction
01:25 — Why inflation sticks around
05:22 — Fighting inflation
08:31 — Success?

Produced and Shot by: Charlotte Morabito
Edited by: Nora Rapapport
Additional Reporting by: Jeff Cox, Gabriel Cortes, Emily Lorsch
Additional Camera: Nathaniel Lee
Animation: Alex Wood, Christina Locopo
Supervising Producer: Lindsey Jacobson

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Why Inflation Is So Hard To Get Rid Of

[mikey]

The rising interest rate can surely control inflation, but won't prevent erosion of the eroding purchasing power of the US dollar. I have learnt my lesson this time. The banks can't be making money off my money, while inflation eats into it. I have set aside 650k to invest in the stock market now, since that keeps up with inflation, but I don't know how to get started.

[HodgeChris]

The only American who won't acknowledge this Administration's failed economic policies is Joe Biden. "Shrink-flation' is the least of our worries compared to rising rents and stagnant wages, but it is an undeniable indicator of how bad our inflation has gotten. I have $100k that i like to invest in a non-retirement account, any advice on that?

[RichardMoore-jgtl]

Our economy struggling with uncertainties, housing issues, foreclosures, global fluctuations, and pandemic aftermath, causing instability. Rising inflation, sluggish growth, and trade disruptions need urgent attention from all sectors to restore stability and stimulate growth.

[NicholasBall]

The system is failing as a result of both government and federal policy. In the next days, the banking crisis would have to be epic and gigantic for the FED to decide not to raise interest rates. This won't happen; an increase and a crash are coming. There will be more negative portfolios this 2nd half of 2024 with markets tumbling, soaring inflation, and banks going out of business. My concern is how can the rapid interest-rate hike be of favor to a value investor, or is it better avoiding stocks for a while?Read more

[Raymondjohn]

Inflation hits people a lot harder than a crashing stock or housing market as it directly affects people's cost of living that people immediately feel the impact of. It's not surprising negative market sentiment is so high now. We really need help to survive in this Economy.

[Riggsnic_co]

I'm not kidding when I say that the market crash and high inflation have me really stressed out and worried about retirement. I've been in the red for a while now and although people say these crisis has it perks, I'm losing my mind but I get it Investing is a long-term game, so focus on the long run.

[epbrown]

You guys were doing so well, then at 5:20 or so you blamed wage increases for inflation. Wages in the US have lagged inflation for *decades* and they still do. Prices have gone up 20%, wages have only gone up 8%. Meanwhile, corporate profits have gone up 40-50% because the media's constant hysterics about inflation created "expectations" that let companies hide their price gouging behind it.

[matturner]

The FED lowered its inflation objective to less than 2% in 2012. They changed the target to a long-term average of 2% inflation. Because long-term interest rates are set at inflation plus a profit margin, the implication is lower interest rates. I consider the current rising interest rate to be a very serious issue it will cause more investors to withdraw from the market. But then despite the severe bear market, I am aware of certain investors that continue to earn over $365, 000. Wish I could accomplish that.

[MarthaDavis-fhcw]

Today's inflation is a result of corporate avarice, not only problems with the supply chain. We know that the money obtained by the higher prices isn't being transmitted along the supply chain since businesses are reporting record profits. More pricing result in increased revenue for businesses, which stays with them and goes into their pockets. We can rule out supply-related inflation because of this. If your stocks are extremely weak, now is an excellent opportunity to take a battered 401k and convert it to a Roth. Then, your Roth will be tax-free, and you will just have to pay taxes on the substantially reduced current values.

[kortyEdna]

Okay this is good, but With inflation running at a four-decade high, a Recession is now the ‘most likely outcome for the economy. How can I grow my portfolio to outpace inflation and maintain a successful long-term strategy? I have been reading of investors making about $250k profit in this current crashing market, and I need ideas on how to achieve similar profits

[AddilynTuffin]

US stocks and Treasury yields rose on Thursday, as the Federal Reserve chair warned interest rates will need to increase further for inflation to slow to its 2 per cent target. I'm still at a crossroads deciding if to liquidate my $138k stock portfolio, what’s the best way to take advantage of this market?

[leondonald]

The market and the Fed consistently underestimate the sticky nature of inflation. The markets are still unsure if the Federal Reserve will continue to its plan to raise interest rates until inflation is under control, despite the fact that bond yields are rising while stock prices are falling. What is the greatest strategy to take advantage of the current bear market while I'm still deciding whether to sell my $401k worth of stocks?

[velayuthman]

Interest rate is currently at 4.75%(8th rate hike since March last year) Inflation at 7% and mortgage rates is at over 7.5% but yet minimum wage remains the same and my retirement portfolio has suffered tremendously these past years, so my question is how do senior citizens retire and live off such unstable economy. The long term game is obviously not for me at this point My reserve of $450, 000 is being wiped out and I'm saddened that despite investing, I lack the mental capacity to analyze and determine whether now is a good time to buy stocks or not. I honestly don't know what to do at this point; I need reliable market trajectory data.

[chrismillson]

The way I see it this recession most likely has an external cause. The United States is losing influence as a federal currency for the first time in decades. They don't have any more economies to utilize to control their inflation, and less money is being spent on stock and oil trading than previously. They all lend credence to the hypothesis that a new multilateral world order may be in the works.

[jamesclay]

Don't get me wrong, I know the economy is in shambles and in order to break even and make profit, we have to ride it out until stock recovery, but how are some folks in the same stock market as me still able to pull off substantial profits of as much as 650K within months, what am I doing wrong?

[stephaniestella]

Considering the prevailing inflationary conditions, it appears improbable that the stock and housing market will register substantial gains in the immediate future. Therefore, it is advisable to temper one's expectations and acknowledge the potential length of the market's recovery period. It is my professional opinion that it would be prudent to defer any significant investment decisions until the economic environment stabilizes in areas of concern. Until then, exercising caution and refraining from engaging with the current turbulence would be the most judicious course of action.

[kristennn]

What should be on everyone's mind currently should be to in vest in sectors with guaranteed projected growth. Hard truth is that you can't always win with the market, just make sure your W's are more than your L's

[stephenpotter]

The rising interest rate can surely control inflation, but won't prevent erosion of the eroding purchasing power of the US dollar. I have learnt my lesson this time. The banks can't be making money off my money, while inflation eats into it. I have set aside $93, 000 to invest in the stock market now, since that keeps up with inflation, but I don't know how to get started.

[rannyorton]

It surprises me why everybody gets really worked up about inflation and inflation data. Inflation has always existed, and people have been using investments to beat the inflation. The stock market return, for example, always beats inflation. I heard of someone who invested $121k last October, and has grown the portfolio by more than $400k. I need recommendations that can give me similar return.

[Erikkurilla]

Inflation is just a cover part, what is really happening is the countries have started to give up on their dollar reserves and push trillions into the market. Fed will be forced to do a lot of rate hike as the US cannot afford to loose their dollar value. If the value drops goods and services will go up in prices and its not inflation, its just needs to be re-evaluated on the prices.