This article discusses various companies that are finding much less resistance to price increases. While nobody knows for sure how wide spread it is, the article's sampling of data points is showing a recent tendency for prices to be pushed up by companies.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics produces inflation statistics for each month. There are many "slices and dices" in the way they gather and present inflation data. While the number is reported by news services, as a "solid number", the numbers are really estimates based upon sampling and statistical techniques. Digging into their various "slices and dices" makes the numbers much murkier, but to truly understand the numbers requires a good amount of investigation.
From what I have looked at, it does look like there is upward pressure in the inflation rate. Consumer confidence is high and they are spending. Therefore, the consumer is becoming less price sensitive. Adding the information in this article to what I have looked at, it definitely looks like there is upward pressure.
For me, the preponderance of the evidence is supporting my viewpoint of being cautious at this juncture.
No one knows the future, but piecing existing information together can be valuable. It is never clear cut and never will be.
Be safe, be smart, be prepared, be well read and be successful!
