uncleharley: Secondly, much of what I have read confirms your expectation that supplies are more than adequate at the moment so I do not understand why there is any upward pressure on prices.
It's called "too much money produced by the Fed". It has to go somewhere. Of course to the one that do not believe we have inflation will not buy this theory, but will scratch their head and say
"supplies are more than adequate at the moment so I do not understand why there is any upward pressure on prices"
It's like saying you don't believe cholesterol can clog arteries, therefore you don’t understand why there are heart attacks... What else is new in paper fiat land?? If you don't buy the theory the CPI is bogus, you'll always get the commodity price wrong, scratching your head wondering why prices are so high. The answer stares right at your face, it's called "INFLATION".
A couple of weeks ago I heard a talking head saying that other than food and energy high prices we have no inflation. So folks, here is the inflation secret: If you want to know if we have no inflation, do not eat and do not heat your homes or fill up your gas tank, and you'll find out that we have no inflation... Laughable to say the least.. Oh, and the CPI story that food and energy should not be included because people will use substitution. That’s another cinderella theory. Go tell the Asians to substitute rice (which has double in prices the last few weeks) with pasta (which is a lot cheaper…) Once again, the fiat paper folk’s theories are laughable to say the least
Oh, and one more thing. Someone here said the CPI is credible because the market buys it. Then why are the 10 and 30 year bond market yields rising? Perhaps even the market is buying the "CPI BOGUS" theory and smells high inflation on the horizon? yeah, maybe, just maybe, something for you folks to think about...
Going back to oil. I gave my input in this link. Of course, no one bother to reply. But that's ok folks, what else is new...