The Weekly Scan September 19, 2022

Welcome to the Weekly Scan. Here’s what we’re following for the week of September 19, 2022. Plus, our Certified Financial Planner Lauren Anastasio gives advice on how to respond to the news.

Growing pains. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released inflation numbers last week that were more disappointing than predicted, with the year-over-year consumer price index (CPI) hitting 8.3% in August. The inflation rate fell from July’s 8.5%, but still experts had expected that number to fall more sharply. Increasing rent costs, restaurant prices, and medical expenses contributed to high inflation. In response to the new statistics, markets fell, with the S&P 500 dropping 4.3%. Inflation has remained a problem despite efforts by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to solve it by increasing interest rates. 

• Lauren’s take: Inflation has been making headlines for over a year—this month’s update was surprising as the drop in gas prices was anticipated to have a larger impact. The Fed meets this week and another significant rate hike is expected. 

New York Times

Chugging along. A potential railroad strike has been looming over markets, but is currently on hold. Railroad companies and the engineers and conductors union reached a deal last week after bargaining for 20 hours, putting off a strike that was set to begin on Friday, September 16, 2022. The deal still needs to be ratified by union members, and union leaders have said that some members may not be entirely satisfied by the terms of the deal. The railroads and the union have reportedly been at odds for months over pay and working conditions for months.  

• Lauren’s take: Somewhere between a third and a half of consumer goods travel by rail. A strike could drastically disrupt supply chains which have contributed to inflation since the beginning of the pandemic. 

CNN

Fit for a king? As King Charles III gets comfortable on the throne, his work managing the Duchy of Cornwall—and the money he generated in that role—has come into focus. Before becoming King, Charles acted as the Duke of Cornwall, overseeing a landmark cricket ground, farmland in the south of England, vacation rentals on the coast, London office space, and a supermarket depot. Contrary to Charles’ mother Queen Elizabeth II, who took a backseat on her portfolio, Charles was very involved, increasing the profits and value of the portfolio by 50% to $1.4 billion. By becoming king, Charles also takes over the late queen’s portfolio.

• Lauren’s take: You don’t have to be a royal to invest like one. A key to the Queen’s investing success was diversification, which you can easily achieve through ETFs. 

New York Times

How could you be so heartless? Rapper Kanye West announced last Thursday that he is ending his partnership with Gap, where he launched a clothing collection. West’s company Yeezy LLC and Gap came to an agreement in March 2020, but West’s lawyers said that Gap had not released apparel or opened retail locations as it had planned. The retailer still plans on releasing items from the collection that are already in the pipeline.

Wall Street Journal

• Lauren’s take: Finding additional ways to earn money is a great strategy to protect yourself from inflation and/or a recession—like Kanye, consider a side hustle. 

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