Chose the FLT company because the CEO is a friend.
Inflation (cpi) is merely a reflection of what’s happening on the P&L of business.
On the “expenditure” column the 3 largest numbers are usually wages, energy & shipping, often in that order. When the expenditure no.s rise then business must raise prices to offset.
In the past the usual culprit of rising expenditure thus inflation has been wages - this time around that has not been the case - the other 2 have been the driver.
Inflation change is slow, takes a while for increased prices to reach the consumer - oft times the mfctr will absorb some increases then likewise the wholesaler, eventually the retailer - competition is the driver here.
Shipping rates peaked late 21 at just over $10k per container - up from an average of 1.7
The drop has been steady in 22 - by mid June just over 7k - still high nonetheless - finally back to 2k beginning of 23.
Problem is that energy prices went back on the rise mid 23 with wholesale energy stubbornly high - those have begun to fall in recent months.
The key going forward will revert back to wage levels.