Updated: Infrastructure Capital Real Time Consumer Price Index: CPI-R (Updated w/ March CPI data)
New York - Updated April 13, 2023 ~ The team at Infrastructure Capital Advisors has updated the new Real Time Consumer Price Index (CPI-R). As stated when launched in November 2022, we believe this new adjusted CPI analysis is far more relevant than the standard CPI. Our Real Time Consumer Price Index (CPI-R) for core March inflation is a flat 0% month over month versus the positive +0.38% reported by the BLS.
How Our Adjusted CPI-R analysis can help the Investing Community
If you notice in the chart and data table, the InfraCap adjusted data has shown a FIVE MONTH DECLINE in month over month CPI which just finally leveled off completely at 0% MOM for March 2023. In comparison, the chart and table shows the original CPI data used by the Fed still is showing a rise in CPI in the CPI month over month data. It is very obvious that the original CPI methodology is an arcane and highly lagged measure focused on rent and owner’s equivalent rent and doesn't account for the impact on housing and rent affordability that increasing interest rates we have seen so far this year. The current housing market This flawed original CPI formula continues to cause the Federal Reserve to be very late in recognizing and responding to economic problems and the rapidly rising inflation we have seen in the last 4 - 6 months.
How Our Adjusted CPI-R analysis can help the Investing Community
We believe financial firms / advisors and individual investors can use our adjusted CPI-R to better recognize real-time changes in the economy and use that for better investing strategies. It also helps investors recognize the impact of housing and rental costs on CPI and the economy in general and use that to more closely scrutinize Federal Reserve views on the economy and understand the Housing Market better and how it could impact their portfolio.
The Adjusted CPI (CPI-R) Index:
The index uses seasonally adjusted Core-CPI (excluding Food and Energy) while adjusting the methodology for Shelter. Rather than using the highly lagged and subjective owner’s equivalent rent, CPI-R uses the “Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Seasonally Adjusted Index”, a more current indicator of shelter prices. Click to skip down in article to why FED is flawed in their use of CPI and how our CPI-R creates a better, real-time look.
See below for the Core CPI vs ICA Adjusted CPI data with update from March 2023 (reported in April 2023). Click on the table image to enlarge for better reading or click SEE FULL REPORT PDF to go to the PDF reader to read, save or print this data file.
CORE CPI vs ICA ADJUSTED CPI DATA
Updated with March 2023 CPI Data - Reported in April 2023
Click HERE to open a PDF with data in easier to view and printable format.
Prelude to the creation of the real time consumer price index:
The critical disadvantage of the CPI is that in the early 1980s the methodology was changed for estimating the cost of shelter from using changes in housing prices to an arcane and highly lagged measure focused on rent and owner’s equivalent rent. The issue with this change is that it creates a huge lag between the onset of inflation in shelter costs and the ultimate reflection in the CPI.
Specifically, the BLS uses a survey of homeowners asking them what they think their house would rent for. This methodology has two significant issues: the survey creates a big lag and homeowners may or may not have any idea what their own homes would rent for, since they are unlikely to rent out their own homes. These flaws render the CPI useless as a useful real time indicator of inflation. In fact, it is classified as a lagging indicator of economic activity by economists.
If the Fed had been analyzing real time indicators of inflation, they would have started tightening policy in 2020 instead of starting at the beginning of 2022. In addition, the Fed should have paused rate increases in July of 2022 when the real time core CPI turned negative with a -.2% reading. The table above summarizes the Infrastructure Capital Real Time Consumer Price Index (CPI-R). The data makes it clear that the Fed perpetrated an obvious major policy error by keeping its excessive monetary stimulus in place through the end of 2021.
Click HERE to learn more about InfraCap investing strategy and focus.
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ABOUT US
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC (ICA) is an SEC-registered investment advisor that manages exchange traded funds (ETFs) and a series of hedge funds. The firm was formed in 2012 and is based in New York City. ICA seeks current income opportunities as a primary objective in most, but not all, of ICA's investing activities. Learn more about our investing strategy.
DISCLOSURE
This material is for informational purposes only. This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are valid as of the date of this communication and subject to change without notice. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of ICA, or its affiliates. Not for distribution to the public. Opinions represented above are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The links to the fund fact sheets will provide standardized performance and risk disclosures. * The ICA Adjusted CPI Index is derived from Core CPI as reported by the BLS, with its only difference being that it replaces the inflation allocated to "Rent of primary residence" and "Owners’ equivalent rent of residences" with the two-month lagged change in the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price SA Index (SPCSUSS Index). We believe this better reflects current and future inflation. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please click here. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
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Please visit https://www.virtus.com/products/virtus-infracap-us-preferred-stock-etf#shareclass.742/period.quarterly for performance data current to the most recent month-end and the Fund’s standard performance information. You should consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For PFFA, PFFR, and AMZA funds, contact VP Distributors LLC at 1-888-383-4184 or visit www.virtusetfs.com to obtain a prospectus that contains this and other information about the Fund. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
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Past performance is not indicative of future results.
The links to the fund fact sheets will provide standardized performance and risk disclosures.
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