“TIPS include a compensation mechanism based on the CPI, which is a common measure of inflation,” points out Asher Rogovy, chief investment advisor at Magnifina.
Inflation during the 1970s notoriously hurt stock valuations at the time. The composition of the US economy was much more based in manufacturing at the time and inflation has several negative effects on the financial statements and valuations of these kinds of companies. For example, companies with aging receivables or prepaid deliverables lost significant real value waiting for their contracts to be fulfilled.
What are the primary investment avenues that thrive during inflationary periods?
Avoid nominal assets if you’re concerned about inflation. Typically these are fixed-income instruments like bonds or CDs. The reason is that if inflation is higher than priced into the market, the relative value of your principal investment will erode at maturity. Real assets, such as stocks and real estate, are free to “float” as prices rise. They represent property rights a share of a business which maintain relative value.
How can individuals diversify their income sources effectively during such times?
Advanced investors may consider convertible bonds for volatile markets. Yield should be protected against further stock market declines, while the convertibility feature can follow market rallies.
Which market sectors, historically, show resilience or even growth during inflation?
Companies providing JIT services with pricing power can withstand more costs of inflation.
Are there lesser-known inflationary profit opportunities that most individuals overlook?
Many investors forget that plain ol’ stocks are an inflation hedge over the long-term. Of course inflationary periods may cause asset price volatility as fiscal and monetary policies adjust to new economic conditions. But 200 years of history shows that stocks consistently outperform inflation over medium to long-term horizons.
How do TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) function as a hedge against inflation?
TIPS include a compensation mechanism based on the CPI, which is a common measure of inflation. In this sense, they appear to be safe investments: fixed-income government debt with built-in inflation protections. However,
Do you have any personal experiences or insights to share about profiting during inflationary periods?
Inflation is typically measured based on costs for the median lifestyle. A higher cost lifestyle may experience more inflation than is reported in the CPI or other agency statistics. Therefore, more aggressive investments may be necessary to protect one’s lifestyle.
