History of Inflation & How it Affects You

What’s up, everyone? Today, we’re going to explore the history of inflation and how it affects fund managers.

In simple terms, inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, and subsequently, the purchasing power of a currency falls.

In other words, when inflation is high, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services than it did before.

Conversely, when inflation is low, your money’s purchasing power remains relatively stable.

Inflation is not a new phenomenon; it has been a part of human economic history for centuries. Here are a few examples…

1. Ancient Times: Inflation’s origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations. For example, the Roman Empire experienced periods of inflation due to excessive coin minting, debasing the value of their currency.
2. The Age of Exploration: During the Age of Exploration in the 16th century, the influx of precious metals like gold and silver from the New World into Europe led to inflation. This was a classic case of too much money chasing too few goods.
3. Post-World War II: After World War II, many countries experienced inflation as they tried to rebuild their economies. The United States, for instance, had a period of inflation during the 1970s, partly due to oil price shocks and high government spending.
4. Modern Times: In recent decades, central banks in developed countries have aimed to keep inflation low and stable. The target rate for many central banks is around 2% per year. This low and stable inflation environment is considered conducive to economic growth and stability.

Now, let’s discuss 3 ways inflation influences fund managers…

#1 Asset Allocation and Investment Strategies:

When inflation is rising, traditional fixed-income securities like bonds may offer lower real returns, prompting managers to shift their portfolios towards assets that have historically acted as hedges against inflation.

These may include commodities (like gold and oil), real estate, and equities in sectors that tend to perform well during inflationary periods, such as energy, materials, and utilities.

#2 Interest Rates and Fixed-Income Investments:

Inflation tends to drive up interest rates. This can lead to losses in the bond market, as the prices of existing bonds decline when newer bonds with higher yields become available.

Fund managers, especially those with substantial fixed-income exposure, must be adept at managing interest rate risk and adjusting their bond portfolios to mitigate potential losses.

#3 Investment Opportunities:

Inflation can create investment opportunities for fund managers who are agile and forward-thinking.

Certain sectors and assets may thrive in an inflationary environment, and fund managers who can identify these opportunities early may generate strong returns for their clients.

Inflation is a complex economic phenomenon with a rich historical backdrop. While a moderate level of inflation is generally considered healthy for an economy, high and unstable inflation can erode the value of money and disrupt economic stability.

Understanding inflation is crucial for you, especially if you’re a fund manager or investor.

Focus on how it can affect you in these 3 areas that we discussed:

• asset allocation and investment strategies
• interest rates and fixed-income investments
• investment opportunities

That’s it for today!

Visit Fund Launch and my YouTube channel to learn more!

Thanks,

Bridger Pennington

Want to get direct guidance for your fund? Schedule a time with my Fund Advisors!

_{DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not to be taken as tax, financial, or legal advice. You should always consult a legal professional before taking action. Furthermore, this is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The content is solely just the opinion of the authors.}