Your Inflation Tool Kit

Inflation continues to stress pocketbooks–and investors–in 2022. The February CPI number (which is based on a basket of products that include gasoline and healthcare) rose 7.9% from a year ago, its highest level in 40 years.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to inflation in critical commodities — and yet at the same time has also led some market watchers to question how aggressive the Federal Reserve will be with interest-rate increases. Inflation is likely to remain a challenge for awhile.

In this special report, Morningstar’s experts discuss how to think about inflation today, examine your own personal inflation rate, and safeguard against inflation’s corrosive effect on your investments.

Inflation Pressures Broadening Even Pre-Russia Attack
Despite the bad news on inflation in February, price pressures still look to ease in late 2022.

What Rising Inflation Means for Your Portfolio
Continued higher inflation would have far-reaching implications for portfolio diversification, but there's no need to panic.

The Inflation Hedges Haven't Hedged
When inflation arrived, they slept.

Is Your Portfolio Protected Against Inflation?
Inflation protection is more concerning for some investors than others.

Why Are Inflation-Protected Bond Funds Losing Money?
With the Fed poised to act, the focus in the TIPS market is on inflation falling back, not rising.

For Retirees, When Inflation Arrives Is as Important as Its Magnitude
A look at retirees, inflation, and sequencing risk.

Are You Making Less Than You Did Last Year Because of Inflation?
Your salary may be going up, but your purchasing power could be dropping.

Will Cryptocurrency Protect Against Inflation?
The common assumption might be false.

How to Protect Your Portfolio from Inflation
They have varying levels of effectiveness, but here are some ways to hedge inflation risk.

What Are TIPS, and How Do They Help Protect Against Inflation?
A quick look at the benefits and risks of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, and the best way to invest in them.

For Inflation Protection, Commodities Belong in the ‘Too Hard' Pile
On the pitfalls of defending against the slow, corrosive effects of inflation with an incredibly volatile asset.

Retirees: How Inflation-Tough Is Your Portfolio and Plan?
Here's how to check.

How to Hedge Against Inflation
Morningstar FundInvestor editor Russ Kinnel describes some direct and indirect hedges for inflation protection.

When Inflation Meets Your Financial Plan
With some planning and awareness, you can steer your retirement fund safely through times of inflation.

How Much Should You Worry About Inflation in Retirement?
Calculating a customized inflation rate is better than using a blunt measure like CPI.

When Higher Inflation Meets Your Withdrawal Rate
While few are predicting a 1970s-style inflation spiral, it's still worth thinking through how inflation could affect your plan.

How Retirees Should Think About Inflation
Here's what to do to defend your retirement portfolio against inflation over time.

Best TIPS for You
Advice for inflation protection.

Now's the Time to Consider These Inflation Protection Strategies
Diversified real asset can enhance a portfolio built for the long run.

The Best Inflation-Fighting Investments for Retirees
In-retirement portfolios should include a blend of inflation hedges and inflation beaters.

The ‘-flations' in Finance
What is inflation, deflation, disinflation, and stagflation?

Cash as an Inflation Hedge
It fares surprisingly well, if the Federal Reserve obliges.