San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Name that company
A big contributor to inflation was prices in some areas rebounding from depressed levels during the pandemic, such as hotel room rates, airline fares, rental cars, etc. There should also be continued relief in terms of energy prices as U.S. oil production is forecast to hit record levels in 2023. Finally, some inflation has been caused by one-off events, such as an avian flu outbreak in the Midwest causing almost 40 million chickens to have to be slaughtered and driving up poultry and egg prices.
University of San Diego
The worst year-over-year inflation is likely behind us. However, we should expect higher inflation levels in the coming years than we experienced in the decade before the COVID-19 disruption. Although inflation is expected to fall to 4 percent over the next two years, the damage is done. By 2024, the buying power of San Diegans will be effectively reduced by 20 percent from PRE-COVID levels.
SANDAG
YES YES
It has likely plateaued, but it’s not easy to predict as there are several factors still at play. These include the prolonged Ukraine war, labor shortages, and increased government spending. Traditional signals such as the inverted yield curve and low unemployment rates continue to provide mixed signals on if we are already in a recession or about to enter one. While the Fed continues to aggressively increase interest rates to help reduce inflation, it will remain persistent and continue to impact our economic outlook.
Intellisolutions
Ramming the “Inflation Reduction Act” down our throats is not going to reduce inflation, rather, it will help sustain the inflationary spiral. Interest rates will rise and we will then have to combat the possibility of stagflation, where the economy doesn’t grow, inflation remains high and unemployment increases; worse yet, a deep recession follows this. The spending must stop and the economy must be handled by skilled economists, not politicians.
R.A. Rauch & Associates
I see inflation moderating in the near term, but still elevated over historical levels for several years. There has been some flattening and even declines in prices for goods and services, such as gasoline. But housing costs continue to climb, albeit slowly, and with low unemployment I see continued upward pressure on wages. Lastly, geopolitical unrest, additional COVID surges, supply chain issues or an increase in energy demand this winter could cause additional spikes in inflation.
Scripps Health
YES NO YES
I trace my roots back to 1912, when one of my founders released “Queen Elizabeth” — the first feature-length drama shown in the United States (starring Sarah Bernhardt). There’s a big 1994 merger with Viacom in my history, and another one in 2019. Today, based in New York City and with a recent market value near $17 billion, I’m a premier global entertainment and media company. I boast the longest-operating and only remaining major studio in Hollywood. My brands include CBS, Showtime Networks, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster. Who am I?
Last week’s trivia answer: A.P. Moller-maersk