Is Inflation Around the Corner?

Haunted by double-digit inflation of the past, some fear the U.S. economy is poised for runaway inflation. Some above-trend inflation is to be expected as the economy begins to open up more broadly. It can be argued that a modest jump in inflation should be viewed as a positive sign, indicating the economy’s return to normal. Long-term price pressures leading to double-digit inflation are possible but not likely, given the slack that currently exists in the economy.