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The Bankruptcy StrategistFeaturesBankruptcyLitigation

Inflation, Interest Rates, and Already-Increasing Commercial Bankruptcy Filings

By Erich N. Durlacher
November 01, 2022

Inflation has been running red hot in 2022. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in September on a seasonally-adjusted basis, which amounts to an 8.2% year-over-year increase since September 2021 before seasonal adjustment. See, https://bit.ly/3SkraQf (site last visited 10/17/22). The sharpest increases have been in the shelter, food, and medical care indexes. Id. The 4.9% decrease in the gasoline index provided welcome relief at the pump, but was not enough to offset the increases in the other indices. Id. At the same time, the Federal Reserve is doing its best to cool off the economy without pushing the country (and, the world) into recession — the mythical "soft landing." In 2022, the Federal Reserve has already raised the federal funds rate five times for a total of 300 bps. See, https://nyfed.org/3EXm9dk (site last visited 10/17/22). The last three increases have been 75 bps each. Id. This comes after nearly two years of the Federal Funds Rate hovering around 0%. Id.

It does not take a Ph.D. in economics to measure the impact of these financial pressures. Surging demand, supply chain snags, and rising rates and prices can be felt in real time when you order groceries, go to a restaurant, or make retail purchases. It is no surprise that the consumer sentiment index is down 16.6% from a year ago. See, http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/ (site last visited 10/17/22). More troubling, 98% of U.S. CEO's in a recent survey said they are preparing for a U.S. recession and 99% are preparing for an E.U. recession. See, https://bit.ly/3EUuvCF (site last visited 10/17/22).

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