Inflation Is Powered by Gas
This week, the Consumer Price Index, the most widely followed indicator of inflation, will be the topic of discussion around the nation. This should give Wall Street some reprieve from this year’s record-breaking inflation. However, they anticipate that inflation will continue to be above 8%, a level not seen in two generations.
By all accounts, inflation is a scourge that everyone must deal with. It raises living expenses, denies real returns to those who save, and further impoverishes the marginalised and impoverished.
According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 7 in 10 Americans believe that inflation is the biggest issue facing the country. It surpasses all other socioeconomic issues combined.
Without a doubt, the American people are struggling right now. Many people are using credit to support their lifestyle, borrowing money on those plastic cards to get by. Our monthly revenue declines are evident. Our purchasing power is gradually eroded due to inflation. Consumer debt is still growing.
The present inflationary wave is notable since it seemed to appear out of thin air. The Federal Reserve has been battling deflation for years, not inflation. Do you recall the Fed aiming for 2% even if actual inflation was lower?
The demography of the nation triggered deflation. Inflation decreased as a result of the massive Baby Boom generation retiring and ceasing to work. The Central Bank was also concerned about a possible deflation of prices. Japan has experienced deflation for many years. They also have an ageing population and are always dodging cheaper costs rather than higher ones.
Therefore, until the current President entered office, we were in the “deflation boat” in terms of pricing. Since becoming president, Joe Biden has made two critical decisions that have made inflation unavoidable.
Let’s first take a closer look at the crucial function that energy plays in the pricing structure of our economy before moving on to those two phases.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the organisation in charge of calculating the CPI, stated in its most recent statistical report that it gives energy a weight of 22% in the process. This suggests that energy is by far the biggest single factor contributing to inflation as expressed in English. Although it is not as critical as energy, food is the other key factor. For this reason, the total CPI is calculated both with and without food and energy.
Or to put it another way, there is a strong relationship between inflation and energy costs. Every time we refuel the automobile, we observe this.
Gasoline cost $2.33 a gallon in January 2021, when President Biden took office. The price of gasoline increased to $5.10 per gallon by June of this year. And the rate of inflation exceeded 9%.
Biden took two actions that led to this circumstance. He first proclaimed a total war on oil and gas. He prioritised putting oil firms out of business during the campaign. He did this by cancelling pipelines, which stopped oil supplies from reaching the market. cancelled and delayed oil leases on federal land, which resulted in a reduction of more than 25% in the available oil supply.
In response, the oil sector has reduced its exploration. A little more than 600 oil wells are now in operation nationwide, which is a third less than in 2019. Additionally, for 9 of the previous 12 months, less gasoline was produced. Although exploration is too hazardous in the unclear regulatory climate of today, gas prices are high.
The Russian Sanctions, President Biden’s second significant move, caused gas prices to soar. In response to limited military action by Russia in Ukraine, all oil imports from that nation were banned by Biden. These imports accounted for 8 to 10% of total supply in the United States.America currently only has 90% of the oil and gas we had before the sanctions, which is a serious problem. The remaining portion is obtained from marginal suppliers and wildcatters all around the world. Naturally, they also ask for exorbitant charges.
Every time we talk about energy, a number of ancillary concerns constantly come up. Everything from sensible environmental concerns and conservation efforts to apocalyptic fears of the end of the planet. All of those issues must be raised, in fact. Additionally, a large number of them have contributed to making the American energy industry the safest and cleanest in the world.
But in my opinion, the most important problem right now is how to stop inflation from wreaking havoc. This economy is in danger of entering a recession, or worse, as a result of inflation, which is like a raging flame.
First and foremost, we must put out this inflation fire. Reversing the Biden Administration’s harsh energy policy is the best way to achieve this.
Business News
The European Union’s ministers advise that each member state cut energy use by 10%. The action today was just suggested in a vote this morning, as reported by the Wall Street Union. The recommended cutback will increase to 15% by winter. And certainly, if there is insufficient adherence, today’s recommendation may become obligatory.
The UK reported this morning that the most recent quarter’s GDP growth was just 2 percent. Economic growth fell short of economists’ predictions mostly because businesses used less energy, resulting in lower output levels. Overall, the British economy has expanded by 1.1% in the roughly two years since the pandemic.
The most recent consumer expectations for inflation will be released here in the US, and it is anticipated that it will be slightly lower than our previous estimate of 6.2%. The most recent inflation reading will be released tomorrow.
Results were weak today as the quarter comes to a close. The e-commerce support provider Braze Incorporated will report later this afternoon. Following them is the day’s top firm, Oracle Systems, because Larry Ellison’s business is often one of the last to announce results.
