The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) first crossed 1,000 in November, 1972 when the consumer price index (CPI) was 42.4. Fifty-three years later in November, 2025 the CPI was 315.5 & the DJIA had reached 50,000. How much of the increase in the DJIA over this time span is attributable to real purchasing power growth & how much to inflation?
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It looks like CPI went up approximately 7.4 times. So , the Dow would be 7400 or so if it was only changed by inflation. The other 42600 or so is due to factors other than inflation.
ReplyDeleteThe 1972 $1,000 is now worth $7,400 in inflation adjusted terms. So how many 7,400s are in 50,000 - with this you are well on your way to figuring this one out.
DeleteOh my! Doug, I have NO idea!
ReplyDeleteit is not so important for people our age to understand inflation but it is the most important aspect of economics young people will encounter especially starting out after graduation from high school or college. Please present this quiz to your students or other young people you know & let me know how they did. I will gladly show anyone who is interested how to figure this & most importantly explain the significance of why it is so key to the rest of their lives.
Delete