Investing in Inflation-Proof Assets
What should you buy in advance of inflation?
With food prices, there are a few simple strategies to prepare for inflation. I believe it is prudent to begin preparing now and purchasing items before you require them. This is what I’ve been concentrating on recently. In its most basic form, a stockpile is just that.
Assume the price of toilet paper increases by 15% this year. That means the $10 toilet paper package you buy every month will soon be $11.50. That’s an extra $18 each year merely to buy the same toilet paper you were buying before. If you multiply that scenario by a number of things increasing in price, you’ll see a significant influence on your budget.
What if there isn’t any inflation? You’ll still be prepared and won’t have to purchase some of these products for a while. Because costs aren’t going down, you won’t lose anything. They may or may not increase at the greater rates predicted by some. If the hyperinflation predictions come true, you will have saved money for your family by purchasing items ahead of time while we wait for inflation to return to more normal levels.
“Buy one now, and two later,” as the old adage goes. Never let yourself get to the end of your food supplies.
Always be on the lookout and purchasing ahead of time. When you come across a good offer, buy as much as you can, especially non-perishables.
Personally, we are relocating funds from other sections of our budget in order to focus on purchasing some additional items right now. You should think about doing the same.
Are you trying to figure out what to buy before inflation? Here are a few essentials to stock up on before inflation kicks in.
Build a stockpile of non-perishable goods.
This is one of the most effective methods for anticipating inflation. Now is the time to stock up on items that will not expire or spoil. When I uncover good prices, I usually focus on establishing a food stockpile. Right now, I’m concentrating on accumulating a non-perishable food supply.
Build a stockpile of things you use regularly.
Expand your stockpile in the same way as before, focusing on the items your family utilizes on a regular basis. Don’t think about eating just yet. Concentrate on toiletries and other items that you use. Don’t buy goods you won’t utilize because it’s a waste of money. Consider stocking up on these items before inflation sets in.
Build a stockpile of foods your family eats.
The perishable products that your family consumes on a regular basis are the last section of your stockpile that you should concentrate on.
Purchase extras of the food items you use whenever you notice a good offer. If you have extra freezer space, concentrate on buying meat when you can get a good deal.
When it comes to canned goods and other packaged goods, buy only what you’ll use before they expire.
If you’re wondering what food to stockpile before inflation rises even further, consider the following:
Can you save a few dollars this week to purchase an extra roll of toilet paper? Or can you find some additional cash to buy a few extra diaper packages? Is it possible to buy four containers of dish soap instead of one? Keep in mind that anything you purchase now will assist you in planning for the future.
I just produced a printable PDF called “The Quick Start Guide to Building a Stockpile on a Budget” if you want to learn more about stockpiling. It’s jam-packed with useful hints, checklists, and more to help you create a stockpile even as inflation rises! More information can be found here.
How can I plan for inflation in 2022?
During inflationary periods, stocks are often a safe refuge. This is because stocks have typically produced total returns that have outperformed inflation. And certain stocks outperform others when it comes to combating inflation. Many recommended lists for 2022 include small-cap, dividend growth, consumer products, financial, energy, and emerging markets stocks. Industries that are recovering from the pandemic, such as tourism, leisure, and hospitality, are also receiving a thumbs up.
Another tried-and-true inflation hedge is real estate. For the year 2022, residential real estate is considered as a safe haven. Building supplies and home construction are likewise being advocated as inflation-busters. REITs, or publicly traded organizations that own real estate or mortgages, provide a means to invest in real estate without actually purchasing properties.
Commodity investments could be one of the most effective inflation hedges. Agriculture products and raw resources can be exchanged like securities. Gold, oil, natural gas, grain, meat, and coffee are just a few of the commodities that traders buy and sell. Using futures contracts and exchange-traded funds, investors can allocate a portion of their portfolios towards commodities.
During inflationary periods, bonds are often unpopular investments since the return does not keep pace with the loss of purchasing power. Treasury inflation-protected securities are a common exception (TIPS). As the CPI rises, the value of these government-backed bonds rises, removing the danger of inflation.
TIPS prices rose dramatically in tandem with inflation expectations in 2021. To put it another way, these inflation hedges are no longer as appealing as they were a year ago. Savings bonds, which the US Treasury offers directly to investors, are attracting some inflation-avoiders.
What holds up well against inflation?
- In the past, tangible assets such as real estate and commodities were seen to be inflation hedges.
- Certain sector stocks, inflation-indexed bonds, and securitized debt are examples of specialty securities that can keep a portfolio’s buying power.
- Direct and indirect investments in inflation-sensitive investments are available in a variety of ways.
Shop Your Pantry
Make it a practice to examine the shelves of your cupboard before going grocery shopping. Canned goods, pasta, and other cupboard staples have a habit of disappearing into dark corners.
You can prevent buying multiples of the same item by taking inventory of what you already have at home. You might be able to cut your shopping list in half (and spend less). You’ll also decrease the likelihood of food spoiling before you remember to eat it.
Instead of going out and buying pricey goods, consider a pantry challenge to use up what you already have at home. Don’t limit yourself to pantry products for your challenge. Before you go out and buy more of the same, check what you have in the freezer and what toiletries you already have.
Do Meal Prep
You’ll be less likely to waste money on something that looks wonderful at the supermarket but you never get around to eating if you plan out your meals and make grocery lists based on a meal plan.
This expert meal prep advice easily explains how to get started with meal planning ahead of time.
Minimize Food Waste
When you spend a higher price for food, the last thing you want to do is squander it. It’s the equivalent of squandering your hard-earned wealth.
You’ll never have to throw out rotten cheese or stale bread again if you follow these recommendations for reducing food waste.
Choose Store Brands Over Name Brands
Name-brand groceries are already more expensive than store-brand alternatives. And in many cases, it’s difficult to determine the difference between the two.
Switch to generic brands to save money on groceries as prices rise. Perhaps you’ll find a new favorite.
Buy in Bulk
While buying in bulk will cost you more money up front, it is a wise decision. You’ll usually pay less per item.
You could always split your shopping haul with a friend or family member if you don’t need a three-box bundle of cereal or ten pounds of macaroni noodles. Alternatively, you may use this as an excuse to go grocery shopping less frequently throughout the month.
Cut Back on Meat
Because beef, pork, and chicken are among of the more costly commodities in the shop inflation or not cutting back on meat will have a major impact on your grocery spend.
Going vegetarian for a day or two a week and substituting cheaper options like as beans and lentils can help you save money.
Save Money on Produce
Even while costs are rising, there are still methods to save money on fruits and vegetables – even if you don’t grow them yourself.
Purchasing vegetables from local farmers, sticking to what’s in season, and opting for frozen over fresh are just a few ways to save money on food.
Buy Reusable Instead of Disposable
Which is better: buying something for $5 that you only use once and then trash away, or buying something similar for $10 that you can use multiple times?
Reusable products are more expensive up front than disposable products, but they usually end up being a better deal because they last much longer. It’s a benefit that it’s better for the environment.
These nine comparisons demonstrate how purchasing reusable items rather than disposable items can help you save money.
Be Smart About Filling Up
The cost of gasoline continues to rise, not just owing to inflation but also as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. You still have somewhere to go, which means petrol is a need.
Carpooling to work can help you save money. Signing up for gasoline reward programs or using fuel comparison apps to locate the best gas prices can both help you save money. Additional tips on how to save money on gas can be found in this post on how to save money on gas even as prices climb.
Share Tools and Equipment
Sharing the expense of something you’ll only use once in a while is a better value than paying full price for something that will sit unused the most of the time.
Consider giving expensive tools and equipment, such as a stand mixer or a leaf blower, to a neighbor, a friend, or a family member who lives close.
Learn to Barter
Instead of paying full price for goods and services, you can resist price inflation by bartering with a friend or family member.
Perhaps a buddy has leftover lumber from a home improvement project that you can use in exchange for free graphic design work for their small business. Perhaps you could dog sit for a family member in exchange for a couple free meals while they’re out of town.
Get Free Things from a Buy-Nothing Group
Getting free things from a local Buy Nothing Group allows you to avoid paying expensive retail pricing and you don’t have to give up anything in return. Rather than trading or bartering, these organizations rely on donations.
Where should I place my money to account for inflation?
“While cash isn’t a growth asset, it will typically stay up with inflation in nominal terms if inflation is accompanied by rising short-term interest rates,” she continues.
CFP and founder of Dare to Dream Financial Planning Anna N’Jie-Konte agrees. With the epidemic demonstrating how volatile the economy can be, N’Jie-Konte advises maintaining some money in a high-yield savings account, money market account, or CD at all times.
“Having too much wealth is an underappreciated risk to one’s financial well-being,” she adds. N’Jie-Konte advises single-income households to lay up six to nine months of cash, and two-income households to set aside six months of cash.
Lassus recommends that you keep your short-term CDs until we have a better idea of what longer-term inflation might look like.
Are bonds beneficial during periods of inflation?
Bonds’ deadliest enemy is inflation. The purchasing power of a bond’s future cash flows is eroded by inflation. Bonds are typically fixed-rate investments. Inflation (or rising prices) reduces the return on a bond in real terms, which means adjusted for inflation.
Do banks fare well in times of inflation?
Inflation in the United States continues to rise, with the price index for American consumer spending (PCE index), the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, rising at a rate of 4.2 percent in the year ended July, its highest level in over 30 years. Furthermore, core prices rose 3.6 percent, excluding volatile goods like food and energy. The figures come as a result of rising demand for products and services, which has outpaced supply systems’ ability to keep up following the Covid-19 lockdowns. Although the Fed is optimistic that inflation will fall, noting that it would likely lower its $120 billion in monthly asset purchases this year, the figure is still significantly above the Fed’s target of 2% inflation.
However, we believe that inflation will continue to be slightly higher than historical levels for some years. Personal savings, for example, have increased as a result of the epidemic, and the continuance of low interest rates over the next two years could result in higher prices for goods and services. Companies in the banking, insurance, consumer staples, and energy sectors are among the companies in our Inflation Stocks category that could stay steady or even benefit from high inflation. Compared to the S&P 500, which is up roughly 18% year to date, the theme has returned around 15%. Exxon Mobil has been the best performer in our topic, with a year-to-date gain of 28 percent. Chubb’s stock has also performed well this year, with a gain of roughly 20% thus far. Procter & Gamble, on the other hand, has been the worst performer, with its stock climbing only roughly 4% year to date.
Inflation in the United States surged to its highest level since 2008 in June, as the economy continues to recover from the Covid-19-related lockdowns. According to the Labor Department, the consumer price index increased by 5.4 percent year over year, while the core price index, which excludes food and energy, increased by 4.5 percent. Prices have risen as a result of increased demand for products and services, which has outpaced enterprises’ ability to meet it. Although supply-side bottlenecks should be resolved in the coming quarters, variables such as large stimulus spending, a jump in the US personal savings rate, and a continuance of the low-interest rate environment over the next two years could suggest inflation will remain high in the near future.
So, how should equities investors respond to the current inflationary climate? Companies in the banking, insurance, consumer staples, and energy sectors are among the companies in our Inflation Stocks category that could stay steady or even benefit from high inflation. Year-to-date, the theme has returned nearly 16%, roughly in line with the S&P 500. It has, however, underperformed since the end of 2019, remaining about flat in comparison to the S&P 500, which is up around 35%. Exxon Mobil, the world’s largest oil and gas company, has been the best performer in our topic, with a year-to-date gain of about 43%. Procter & Gamble, on the other hand, has underperformed, with its price holding approximately flat.
Inflation in the United States has been rising as a result of plentiful liquidity, skyrocketing demand following the Covid-19 lockdowns, and supply-side limitations. The Federal Reserve increased its inflation projections for 2021 on Wednesday, forecasting a 3.4 percent increase in personal consumption expenditures – its preferred inflation gauge – this year, a full percentage point more than its March projection of 2.4 percent. The central bank made no adjustments to its ambitious bond-buying program and said interest rates will remain near zero percent through 2023, while signaling two rate hikes.
So, how should stock investors respond to the current inflationary climate and the possibility of increased interest rates? Stocks in the banking, insurance, consumer staples, and energy sectors might stay constant or possibly gain from increasing inflation rates, according to our Inflation Stocks theme. The theme has outpaced the market, with a year-to-date return of almost 17% vs just over 13% for the S&P 500. It has, however, underperformed since the end of 2019, remaining about flat in comparison to the S&P 500, which is up almost 31%. Exxon Mobil, the world’s largest oil and gas company, has been the best performer in our subject, climbing 56 percent year to far. Procter & Gamble, on the other hand, has lagged the market this year, with its shares down approximately 5%.
Inflation has been rising, owing to central banks’ expansionary monetary policies, pent-up demand for commodities following the Coivd-19 lockdowns, company inventory replenishment or build-up, and major supply-side constraints. Now it appears that inflation is here to stay, with the 10-Year Breakeven Inflation rate, which represents predicted inflation rates over the next ten years, hovering around 2.4 percent, its highest level since 2013.
So, how should equities investors respond to the current inflationary climate? Stocks To Play Rising Inflation is a subject that contains stocks that could stay stable or possibly gain from higher inflation rates. The theme has outpaced the market, with a year-to-date return of almost 18% vs just over 12% for the S&P 500. However, it has underperformed since the end of 2019, returning only roughly 1% compared to 30% for the S&P 500. The theme consists primarily of stocks in the banking, insurance, consumer staples, and energy sectors, all of which are expected to gain from greater inflation in the long run. Metals, building materials, and electronics manufacturing have been eliminated because they performed exceptionally well during the initial reopening but appear to be nearing their peak. Here’s some more information on the stocks and sectors that make up our theme.
Banking Stocks: Banks profit from the net interest spread, which is the difference between the interest rates on deposits and the interest rates on loans they make. Higher inflation now often leads to higher interest rates, which can help banks increase their net interest revenue and earnings. Banks, on the other hand, will benefit from increased credit card spending by customers. Citigroup and U.S. Bank are two banks in our subject that have a stronger exposure to retail banking. Citigroup’s stock is up 26% year to date, while U.S. Bancorp is up 28%.
Insurance stocks: Underwriting surplus cash is often invested to create interest revenue by insurance companies. Inflationary pressures, which result in increased interest rates, can now aid boost their profits. Companies like The Travelers Companies and Chubb, who rely on investment income more than their peers in the insurance industry, should profit. This year, Travelers stock has increased by around 12%, while Chubb has increased by 8%.
Consumer staples: Consumer equities should be able to withstand increasing inflation. Because these enterprises deal with critical products, demand remains consistent, and they can pass on greater costs to customers. Our theme includes tobacco behemoth Altria Group, which is up 21% this year, food and beverage behemoth PepsiCo, which is almost flat, and consumer goods behemoth Procter & Gamble, which is down around 1%.
Oil and Gas: During periods of rising consumer prices, energy equities have performed admirably. While growing economies are good for oil demand and pricing, huge oil corporations have a lot of operating leverage, which allows them to make more money as revenue climbs. Exxon Mobil, which has gained a stunning 43 percent this year, and Chevron, which has risen roughly 23 percent, are two of our theme’s picks.
Heavy equipment manufacturers, electrical systems suppliers, automation solutions providers, and semiconductor fabrication equipment players are among the companies in our Capex Cycle Stocks category that stand to benefit from increased capital investment by businesses and the government.
What if you’d rather have a more well-balanced portfolio? Since the end of 2016, this high-quality portfolio has regularly outperformed the market.
Is gold a good inflation hedge?
- Gold is sometimes touted as a hedge against inflation, as its value rises when the dollar’s purchase power diminishes.
- Government bonds, on the other hand, are more secure and have been demonstrated to pay greater rates as inflation rises, and Treasury TIPS include built-in inflation protection.
- For most investors, ETFs that invest in gold while also holding Treasuries may be the best option.