Secular Versus Cyclical

Published: Sept. 12, 2023, 12:06 p.m.

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On today\\u2019s show we are talking about the difference between two types of inflation. Economists have terminology for inflation that is used to describe the nature of the inflation.

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The first is cyclical inflation. This type of inflation is caused by a short term economic disruption, for example a supply shock. Once that supply shortage is resolved, prices tend to normalize and the inflation essentially disappears. Some economists use the term transitory to describe a cyclical inflation.\\xa0

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The second type of inflation is called secular. This is a deeper and more systemic type of inflation that tends to persist because it is being driven by multiple factors including the so-called wage price spiral.\\xa0

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Once you have secular inflation, it is much more difficult to eliminate from the economy.\\xa0

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It appears as though we have a cyclical inflation happening right now. The supply shock that occurred during the pandemic has subsided. Inventories are bloated and prices are falling as suppliers compete more aggressively for customer\\u2019s business.\\xa0

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Secular inflation is when inflation expectations become anchored. The factors influencing inflation become systemic and entrenched.\\xa0

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On today\\u2019s show I\\u2019m going to make a case that even though we are in a disinflationary period, and parts of the world are experiencing deflation, the disinflation we are experiencing is a result of a cyclical downturn against the backdrop of a longer secular cycle.\\xa0

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Host: Victor Menasce

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email: podcast@victorjm.com

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