Key Points
A penny saved is a penny earned, right? Not necessarily. Thanks to
inflation, over time that penny could be worth less than when it
was first dropped into the piggy bank. That's why if you're
investing -- especially for major goals years away, such as
retirement -- you can't afford to ignore the corrosive effect
rising prices can have on the value of your assets.
Inflation Under the Microscope
Just what is inflation, this ravenous beast that eats away at
the value of every dollar you earn? It is essentially the increase
in the price of any good or service. The most commonly referenced
measure of that increase is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which
is based on a monthly survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics. The CPI compares current and past prices of a sample
"market basket" of goods from a variety of categories including
housing, food, transportation, and apparel. The CPI does have
shortcomings, according to economists -- it does not take taxes
into account or consider that as the price of one product rises,
consumers may react by purchasing a cheaper substitute (name brand
vs. generic, for example). Nonetheless, it is widely considered a
useful way to measure prices over time.
Inflation has been a very consistent fact of life in the U.S.
economy. Dating back to 1945, the purchasing power of the dollar
has declined in value every year but two -- 1949 and 1954. Still,
inflation rates were generally considered moderate until the 1970s.
The average annual rate from 1900 to 1970 was approximately 2.5%.
From 1970 to 1990, however, the average rate increased to around
6%, hitting a high of 13.3% in 1979.1 Recently, rates
have been closer to the 1% to 3% range; the inflation rate was 1.5%
in 2010.
What It Means to Your Wallet
In today's economy, it's easy to overlook inflation when
preparing for your financial future. An inflation rate of 4% might
not seem to be worth a second thought -- until you consider the
impact it can have on the purchasing power of your money over the
long term. For example, in just 20 years, 4% inflation annually
would drive the value of a dollar down to $0.44.
| The Cost of the Future |
| Item |
Price in 2011 |
Price in 2031 |
|
| Refrigerator |
$1,000 |
$2,191 |
| Automobile |
$23,000 |
$50,396 |
| Based on an average annual inflation rate of
4%. |
Or look at it another way: If the price of a $1,000 refrigerator
rises by 4% over 20 years, it will more than double to almost
$2,200. A larger-ticket item, such as a $23,000 automobile, would
soar to more than $50,000 given the same inflation rate and time
period.
Inflation also works against your investments. When you calculate
the return on an investment, you'll need to consider not just the
interest rate you receive but also the real rate of return, which
is determined by figuring in the effects of inflation. Your
financial advisor can help you calculate your real rate of
return.
Clearly, if you plan to achieve long-term financial goals, from
college savings for your children to your own retirement, you'll
need to create a portfolio of investments that will provide
sufficient returns after factoring in the rate of inflation.
Investing to Beat Inflation
Bulletproofing your portfolio against the threat of inflation
might begin with a review of the investments most likely to provide
returns that outpace inflation.
Over the long run -- 10, 20, 30 years, or more -- stocks may
provide the best potential for returns that exceed inflation. While
past performance is no guarantee of future results, stocks have
historically provided higher returns than other asset
classes.
Consider these findings from a study of Standard & Poor's
data: An analysis of holding periods between 1926 and December 31,
2010, found that the annualized return for a portfolio composed
exclusively of stocks in Standard & Poor's Composite Index of
500 Stocks was 9.93% -- well above the average inflation rate of
3.01% for the same period.2 The annualized return for
long-term government bonds, on the other hand, was only 5.53%. In
addition, the study found that the stock portfolio did not suffer a
loss in 781 separate 20-year holding periods. In every period, the
annual rate of return for the stock portfolio was greater than the
inflation rate. The bond portfolio outpaced inflation in only 405
of the 781 20-year holding periods -- by a much lower margin.
There are many ways to include stocks in your long-term plan in
whatever proportion you decide is appropriate. You and your
professional financial planner could create a diversified portfolio
of shares from companies you select.3 Another option is
a stock mutual fund, which offers the benefit of professional
management. Stock mutual funds have demonstrated the same long-term
growth potential as individual stocks.
| Total Annual Returns for Stocks,
Bonds, and Inflation |
 |
| This chart tracks inflation versus U.S. stocks and U.S.
bonds.2 Stocks are represented by the total annual
returns of the S&P 500. Bonds are represented by the total
annual returns of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond index. Inflation
is represented by the annual change in the Consumer Price Index.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The
performance shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not
indicative of the performance of any specific investment.
(CS000169) |
A Balancing Act
Keep in mind that stocks do involve greater risk of short-term
fluctuations than other asset classes. Unlike a bond, which
guarantees a fixed return if you hold it until maturity, a stock
can rise or fall in value based on daily events in the stock
market, trends in the economy, or problems at the issuing company.
But if you have a long investment time frame and are willing to
hold your ground during short-term ups and downs, you may find that
stocks offer the best chance to beat inflation.
The key is to consider your time frame, your anticipated income
needs, and how much volatility you are willing to accept, and then
construct a portfolio with the mix of stocks and other investments
with which you are comfortable. For instance, if you have just
embarked on your career and have 30 or 40 years until you plan to
retire, a mix of 70% stocks and 30% bonds might be
suitable.4 But even if you are approaching retirement,
you may still need to maintain some growth-oriented investments as
a hedge against inflation. After all, your retirement assets may
need to last for 30 years or more, and inflation will continue to
work against you throughout.
Take Steps to Tame Inflation
Whatever your investor profile -- from first-time investor to
experienced retiree - you need to keep inflation in your sights.
Stocks may be your best weapon, and there are many ways to include
them. Consult your financial planner to discuss your specific needs
and options.
Points to Remember
- When investing for long-term goals, you need to consider the
effects of inflation on your investment returns.
- Inflation is the rising price of goods and services.
- Diversifying your portfolio with stocks and stock mutual funds
may offer the best chance of beating inflation over the long
term.
- Remember to consider your time frame and risk tolerance when
considering investments for your portfolio.
1Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2Source: Standard & Poor's.
3Diversification does not ensure against loss.
4These allocations are presented only as examples and
are not intended as investment advice. Please consult a financial
advisor if you have questions about these examples and how they
relate to your own financial situation. The investor profile is
hypothetical.
© 2011 McGraw-Hill Financial Communications. All rights
reserved.
