Inflation eases in December to 6.5%, but prices remain stubbornly high

My comment, "While the inflation number is down in an overall minuscule number, the number affecting our population tells a different story. Year of Year 12/2021 - 12/2022 Electricity UP 14.3%; Hotels UP 3.2%; Apparel UP 2.9%; Shelter UP 7.5% etc. The CPI overall was down 0.1%.

The stock market surged this morning, took a swan dive a few minutes later, recovered its loss, and now it is in a relatively narrow channel. The critical question is what the Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States, Jerome Hayden "Jay" Powell will do at the next Fed meeting. Still sounding hawkish it could be construed that he will again raise the rates but perhaps by 25 basis points. The continued spending from the established programs doesn't leave the committee a choice if they want to meet their inflationary goal. It's a battle between the administration and the Fed. There is a positive if one has any savings left. The T-Bills are at the highest rate they have been in decades, and by that I mean the 3, 6. 9, and sometimes, 1-year T-Bills. It's a good way to preserve your capital if you're not a trader. The days of throwing a dart at the stock board and making money have flown the coop. If you're going to focus on today's market a skilled approach is necessary for successful growth. That means the investor has to get comfortable with Option contracts to support success."