Perspectives – inflation is dead, long live inflation!

David Jane
Premier Miton Macro Thematic Multi Asset Team

For information purposes only. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author at the time of writing and can change; they may not represent the views of Premier Miton and should not be taken as statements of fact, nor should they be relied upon for making investment decisions.

Inflation began coming down, at least in the US, in the late summer to early autumn. This coincided with the equity market lows, the question remains however, how far is it set to fall and for how long.

At present workers appear to have a very strong negotiating position, as current levels of demand and a reducing labour force mean that labour shortages persist in most western economies. This means that wages are growing strongly, although in many cases not as fast as CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation. This will only change in the case that the economy slows materially, to the point that there is excess labour again. Basically, unemployment will rise enough to ease wage cost inflation in the event of a recession.

Despite rising prices, consumers balance sheets are still strong, at least in the US, where most mortgages are long term and on fixed rates. One possible, disinflationary impact might be a material fall in house prices and rents, as higher interest rates bite into house prices.

Canned economic heat

In the case of government spending, much of this is inflation linked, such as health and social care benefits. These are particularly difficult to reduce in real terms, particularly as basic necessities are increasing in price faster than overall inflation. At the same time the heavily unionised public sector workforce is a substantial part of the voting public and elections are looming. In the UK measures to address the ‘cost of living crisis’ are unlikely to address its causes, but only address its effects on targeted groups. The cause is an overheated economy, as a consequence of excessive stimulus from both the central banks and governments during the lockdowns.

Energy is having a disinflationary effect, at least at present, although this will reduce as the year goes on. Policy in the West remains highly supportive of high energy prices, both in the form of fossil fuel restrictions and subsidies for renewables. The same can be said for most raw materials.

No pain, no gain?

We are still of the view that the only plausible case for sustained low inflation in the long run involves a material amount of economic pain, something that recent policy action suggests is not a realistic option at least for now. In our view, central banks have to continue to tighten aggressively and stay tighter for much longer than markets presume.

We retain our stance that economies may slow materially, but insufficiently to fully drive inflation out of the system until consumers real incomes and balance sheets are sufficiently reduced to have a material impact on demand. Given the conflicting actions of governments and central banks this may take years of stop-start economics. This supports our ongoing thesis of the ‘rock in the pond’ economy of ever decreasing ripples until the inflationary impact of lockdowns has worked its way through.

We are positioned for a near term economic slowdown but retain a longer term bias towards assets that might benefit from inflation.

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Risks

The value of stock market investments will fluctuate, which will cause fund prices to fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the original amount invested.

Forecasts are not reliable indicators of future returns.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

For Investment Professionals only. No other persons should rely on the information contained within.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, we regret that we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author at the time of writing and can change; they may not represent the views of Premier Miton and should not be taken as statements of fact, nor should they be relied upon for making investment decisions.

Issued by Premier Portfolio Managers Limited. (registered in England no. 01235867), authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, a member of the Premier Miton Investors marketing group and a subsidiary of Premier Miton Group plc (registered in England no. 06306664). Registered office: Eastgate Court, High Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3DE.

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The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It, and the products and services described within it, are subject to change without notice. We shall not be liable to you, or any third party, for any amendment, modification, suspension or discontinuance of any product or service described on our website. Neither we, nor any third parties, provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or appropriateness of the information and materials made available on this website.

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“US Person” generally includes the following: (a) any natural person resident in the United States; (b) a partnership or corporation organised or incorporated under the laws of the United States; (c) any estate of which any executor, or administrator, is a US Person; (d) any trust of which any trustee is a US Person; (e) any agency or branch of a non-US entity located in the United States; (f) any non-discretionary account or similar account (other than an estate or trust) for the benefit or account of a US Person; (g) any discretionary account or similar account (other than an estate or trust) held by a dealer or other fiduciary organised, incorporated or (if an individual) resident in the United States; and (h) any partnership or corporation if: i. organised or incorporated under the laws of any non-US jurisdiction; ii. formed by a US Person principally for the purpose of investing in securities not registered under the 1933 Act. In addition, a Shareholder must qualify as a “Non-United States Person” as used in the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 4.7.

Investment products referred to on this website may not be sold or transferred to a US citizen, or an entity taxed as such or required to file a tax return as such under the United States federal income tax laws (a “US Tax Resident”).

The information in this site is solely for the purpose of acquiring information as, or for, an Institutional Investor (a corporate or other non-retail investment professional acting for their own account). This information must not be used or relied upon by anyone that may be considered a “retail investor” by the home regulator of the country from which this site is accessed.  

The information contained in this website is directed at persons who are resident in the United Kingdom and complies with appropriate UK legislation and regulations and is not directed at, nor intended for distribution to, or use by, persons in any jurisdiction in which the dissemination of such investment related information is not permitted.

The information or opinions contained herein should not be construed as an offer, or solicitation to deal in any investment or fund nor shall any such investment products or services be offered or sold to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful or in which the person making the offer solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

Premier Miton Investors has expressed its own views and opinions on this website, and these may change and there is no obligation to update them. Nothing in this website should be construed as investment, tax, legal or other advice. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Neither Premier Miton Investors nor any of its group companies or affiliates accepts any liability for any losses arising directly or indirectly from any information accessed from this website, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

By clicking accept you acknowledge that your use of this website is subject to our privacy policy, cookie policy and our general legal and compliance information available on our website.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The investment products referred to on this website have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. They may not be offered or sold in the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia or offered, sold or transferred to US Persons (as defined below). The investment products referred to on this website have not been and will not be registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Premier Portfolio Managers Limited has not been and will not be registered under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 “US Person” generally includes the following: (a) any natural person resident in the United States; (b) a partnership or corporation organised or incorporated under the laws of the United States; (c) any estate of which any executor, or administrator, is a US Person; (d) any trust of which any trustee is a US Person; (e) any agency or branch of a non-US entity located in the United States; (f) any non-discretionary account or similar account (other than an estate or trust) for the benefit or account of a US Person; (g) any discretionary account or similar account (other than an estate or trust) held by a dealer or other fiduciary organised, incorporated or (if an individual) resident in the United States; and (h) any partnership or corporation if: i. organised or incorporated under the laws of any non-US jurisdiction; ii. formed by a US Person principally for the purpose of investing in securities not registered under the 1933 Act. In addition, a Shareholder must qualify as a “Non-United States Person” as used in the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 4.7.

 Investment products referred to on this website may not be sold or transferred to a US citizen, or an entity taxed as such or required to file a tax return as such under the United States federal income tax laws (a “US Tax Resident”). If those investment products are held by a US Person, a US Tax Resident or a person who does not qualify as a “Non-United States Person” within the meaning of CFTC Rule 4.7, Premier Portfolio Managers Limited shall be entitled to redeem such Shareholder’s entire holdings.