The “Looking Glass” ponders financial and actual property tendencies by way of two distinct lenses: the optimist’s “glass half-full” and the pessimist’s “glass half-empty.”
Buzz: With inflation working at a 40-year excessive — an unpleasant 8.6% nationally — one would suppose every little thing is pricier. Actually, 93% of the 333 objects tracked within the month-to-month inflation report had been dearer in May than they had been a yr in the past.
Source: My trusty spreadsheet reviewed the most recent Consumer Price Index for May, taking a look at 12-month worth adjustments.
Glass half-full
Well, 93% isn’t 100%, so listed below are eight items and providers that authorities inflation stats counsel may be “bargains.” They’re doubtless a uncommon slice of the financial system the place client demand is down.
1. Smartphones prime this chart at 19.9% cheaper in a yr. My guess is there’s one firm that hasn’t come out with a killer new product in a few years. So, with people not speeding to purchase a brand new cellphone, retailers are chopping costs accordingly.
2. Admission to sporting occasions is 10.8% cheaper. Many groups are nonetheless struggling attendance hangovers from pandemic closings. Logic says ticket offers are being pitched to lure followers again to the ballpark or enviornment.
3. Televisions are 9.5% cheaper. Everyone purchased a brand new TV – possibly even two — through the stay-at-home durations of the pandemic. With a “back to kinda normal” life, outside existence appear to be a greater funding. And I’m wondering, many new TVs do you want?
4. Cruise fares are 5.3% cheaper. I’ll ask a easy query: “Who wants to be stuck in tight quarters with lots of strangers?” Cruises are usually not excessive on the recognition record today.
5.Computer software program and equipment are 3.9% cheaper. As extra employees and college students head again to workplace or classroom settings, I’ll speculate the necessity to improve or add software program to 1’s dwelling computer systems is down.
6. Other intercity transportation – that’s trains and buses, not planes – is down 3.6%. Let’s simply say once more, crowded situations are usually not well-liked. Operators have to incentivize prospects by worth.
7. Men’s pants and shorts are 1.6% cheaper. I’m figuring guys working again on the workplace most likely simply dusted off clothes they hadn’t worn in two years.
8. Jewelry is 1.2% cheaper. I’ve learn millennials are much less involved in dear bling than earlier generations. Maybe they’re spending all their cash on shopping for new houses or the excessive worth of hire at fancy flats.
Glass half-empty
Of these 333 items and providers tracked by the CPI, 39% of all items and providers tracked jumped in worth by 10% or extra through the 12 month interval resulted in May.
Jonathan Lansner is the enterprise columnist for the Southern California News Group. He will be reached at [email protected]
Source: www.bostonherald.com”