, Columnist
The Most Important Number of the Week Is 115.8
Don’t let the inflation rate fool you. Consumers are still feeling relatively optimistic about the economy, new data show.
Feeling confident.
Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
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When it comes to the economy and financial markets, there’s theory and there’s reality. Choose wisely.
The theory is that inflation punishes consumers, eroding their purchasing power and causing sentiment to disintegrate. All this would naturally have a detrimental effect on the economy as more people feel like they just can’t keep up with rising prices.