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Inflation and Deflation

Inflation and Deflation. The change in prices over time. The Big Mac Index : A market basket with only a Big Mac in it. Mmm …? It’s based on the average price of a Big Mac in America: $4.20 When I lived in Egypt I could get a Big Mac for about $2.

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Inflation and Deflation

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  1. Inflation and Deflation The change in prices over time

  2. The Big Mac Index: A market basket with only a Big Mac in it. Mmm…? It’s based on the average price of a Big Mac in America: $4.20 When I lived in Egypt I could get a Big Mac for about $2. …but of course there were much more delicious things to eat. Source: The Economist (2012)

  3. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) How far does your dollar go? When we talk about inflation, PPP refers to changes in how far your dollar goes over time.

  4. Remember our lost $20 bill? Why is this a terrible investment plan?

  5. Prices change over time, and that’s okay. You will probably make more than your grandparents did, but does your dollar go farther?

  6. Prices change over time, and that’s okay. • You will probably make more than your grandparents did, but does your dollar go farther? • Real Wage = Wage Rate ÷ Price Level • (Remember that price level is the average price of all goods and services in an economy)

  7. Prices change over time, and that’s okay. • You will probably make more than your grandparents did, but does your dollar go farther? • Real Wage = Wage Rate ÷ Price Level • (Remember that price level is the average price of all goods and services in an economy) • Real Income = Income ÷ Price Level

  8. Inflation Rate Calculation, Again Price index in year 2 – price index in year 1 *100 Price index in year 1

  9. The Costs of Inflation Shoe Leather Costs Menu Costs Unit-of-Account Costs

  10. Inflation and Interest Rates • Nominal Interest Rate: • The interest rate in today’s dollars. (In Year ‘X’ dollars) • Real Interest Rate: • Nominal Interest – Inflation Rate

  11. Find the real interest rate. Nominal interest rate: 10% Inflation rate: 6% Real interest rate: ___?___

  12. Does inflation hurt everyone? Think about nominal vs. real rates.

  13. Imagine. The year is 2007. • You just took out a $10,000 five year loan at 10% interest. • How much will you have to pay in 2012?

  14. Fast forward to 2012. • Good news! Over the past five years, the price level has risen at a rate of 7%! • How much do you “really” have to pay on your $10,000 loan?

  15. So, inflation is good for debtors. • How does the bank feel at the end of the 5 years?

  16. Winners and Losers from Inflation This happens because most loans (debts) are expressed in nominal interest rates. Inflation causes the “real” rate of interest to change. Winners = _____?______ Losers = _____?_____

  17. So, who wins from deflation? Winners = _____?______ Losers = _____?_____

  18. Inflation Target • Policy makers try to keep inflation at about 3% • It takes a recession to cure severe inflation. • That’s a massive opportunity cost. • U.S. in 1981-1982 P. 81 Planet Money on the Brazilian Hyperinflation: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/10/04/130329523/how-fake-money-saved-brazil

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