Key inflation measure records biggest jump in more than 30 years

Last month’s price jumps came on the back of increases in multiple categories, including energy, shelter, food and cars. Food prices have risen by nearly 1% for two months in a row.

Energy costs have been going through the roof, jumping 4.8% in October and 30% over the past 12 months.

Pandemic price hikes

Rising inflation has been a hallmark of the pandemic recovery thanks to a potent mix of rampant demand, raw material shortages and choke points along the global supply chains. And the jump in energy costs is only making it worse.

America’s inflation problem is likely made worse by the huge stimulus boost Washington provided to get the nation through the worst of the pandemic — which bolstered savings, household wealth and ultimately demand, according to Rick Rieder, BlackRock’s chief investment officer of global fixed income.

“Further employment gains will continue to be a major driver of continued demand strength for goods and services, and higher wages will be a story that will sustain itself for many months to come,” he said.

The Biden administration and the Federal Reserve have been adamant that the price hikes are temporary and to be expected as the economy rebounds from its worst crisis in a generation.

Biden also pointed at rising energy costs and said natural gas prices have come down already.

What’s the Fed going to do?

But the hotter-than-expected October report raises the question whether the Fed is acting fast enough, or whether it has to roll back stimulus even faster.

Even though one month doesn’t make a trend and the October price jumps could be short-lived, the opposite could also be true.

American consumers are already bracing for higher prices during their holiday shopping sprees.