S&P 500 Gain vs Inflation Rate

With an inflation report due this week, investors will be looking for a continuation of a downtrend.

Today’s chart helps prepare for next week’s CPI report by presenting six inflation rate ranges versus the ensuing average S&P 500 12-month gain.

Conclusion…

The stock market has performed better following a relatively low inflation rate.

However, when the inflation rate was less than 5% as is currently the case, the stock market performed fairly well over the following 12 months.

On average.

S&P 500 Gain vs Inflation Rate

What was the lowest U.S. inflation rate in history?

The lowest U.S. inflation rate since 1948 occurred in August 1949 and clocked in at a -3.0%.

What was the highest U.S. inflation rate in history?

The highest U.S. inflation rate since 1948 occurred in March and April of 1980 with a rate of 14.6%.

What is the inflation rate in 2022?

2022 closed with an inflation rate of 6.5%.