How to invest in inflation

A 'reflation' while exiting the COVID-19 recession could be devastating for shares. How do you invest now to prepare for such a scenario?

| More on:
A piggy bank attached a bicycle pump floats up, indicating rising inflation

Image Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

One of the biggest current threats to the share market seems to be the prospect of rising inflation.

Investors are nervous because soaring inflation could provoke central banks to raise interest rates.

Many ASX shares are priced as if rates will stay at the current historic lows, so it's understandable why some people might be anxious.

"We're pretty certain about this. But we're not absolutely certain about the timing of the inflation," Nucleus Wealth head of investments Damien Klassen said last week.

"We are pretty certain that there'll be inflationary shock where people are going to be pricing in inflation. Over the last few days even, we've seen this – it's gone a bit exponential."

Speaking on a on a Nucleus webinar, Klassen and chief strategist David Llewellyn Smith picked out some places to invest in anticipation of inflation:

Value vs growth shares

Growth shares benefit the most from low interest rates, as their valuations depend on how cheap future money is. 

So the most obvious way to invest for inflation is to shift into value stocks

But once inflation hits the fan, Klassen said keen investors should still keep an eye on growth bargains.

"You're going to get these opportunities to buy growth stocks over the next few months or a year or two at a much cheaper price," he said.

"Because if we do return to deflation, those growth stocks are once again going to be in demand."

The transition away from growth stocks has already happened somewhat in the past couple of weeks. And Klassen expects this to continue for "a few months".

He did emphasise that this didn't mean buying up growth shares indiscriminately when the market is depressed. Purchases still need to be made at a prudent price.

"Note the Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ: CSCO) example I keep trotting out. The last 20 years, they've increased their earnings 6 times and their share price has halved," said Klassen.

"Because the price was so high to start with in the [1990s] tech boom. So it's a matter of getting that price right."

The Nucleus team, therefore, is buying into value shares now then plan to flip over to growth later in the year, according to Klassen.

Buy international shares 

A by-product of the current environment is that the Australian dollar is trading at a high value.

It surpassed 80 US cents last week after descending to as low as 59 US cents 12 months ago in the midst of the COVID-19 panic.

"You're getting chances to buy international stocks at cheaper prices, over the next 6 to 12 months," said Klassen.

"If you can buy these with an Aussie dollar at 80 or 85 [US] cents, here's your chance to start getting exposure to international assets that are going to be very beneficial over the longer term – at a discount."

Exceptions to these rules

Klassen did note some exceptions to the above strategies.

"There's ones where we're reluctant holders," he said.

"We've got a lot more banks than we'd like to have."

He explained that the current environment of emerging inflation and rising long-term bond interest rates is positive for bank profitability.

But the danger is that deflation will soon take over again and stick around in the long term.

"If we're headed towards the European and Japan experience then the banks are really going to be the ones that suffer."

Shares associated with commodities also have short term potential but could plunge at any time after inflation arrives.

"There is a value trade in there but it's not an infinite value trade. We are concerned about the downside as well as the upside."

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Market News

A female worker in a hard hat smiles in an oil field.
Broker Notes

Buy BHP and this ASX 200 share next week

Here are a couple of shares that Bell Potter rate highly this month.

Read more »

Legendary share market investing expert and owner of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett
Share Market News

I'd listen to Warren Buffett and invest in ASX shares with wide economic moats

It could pay to follow in the footsteps of Warren Buffett. Here's what you need to know about moats.

Read more »

Three happy office workers cheer as they read about good financial news on a laptop.
Best Shares

Top oversold ASX shares to buy in February 2025

Hoping to bag an investment bargain this month?

Read more »

People sit in rollercoaster seats with expressions of fear, terror and exhilaration as it goes into a steep downward descent representing the Novonix share price in FY22
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

ASX investors had a rough end to the trading week this Friday.

Read more »

A panel of four judges hold up cards all showing the perfect score of ten out of ten
52-Week Highs

Big ASX news: 10 ASX 200 shares hit new 52-week highs today

Do you own any of these lucky stocks?

Read more »

Siblings jumping on a trampoline.
Share Gainers

These 3 ASX 200 stocks are charging higher this week. Own any?

Investors have been piling into these ASX 200 stocks this week. But why?

Read more »

A young bank customer wearing a yellow jumper smiles as she checks her bank balance on her phone.
Bank Shares

CBA shares: Another day, another new record high

What's behind CBA's latest push into record territory?

Read more »

Three guys in shirts and ties give the thumbs down.
Share Fallers

Why Beach Energy, McMillan Shakespeare, News Corp, and Pilbara Minerals shares are falling today

These shares are ending the week in the red. But why?

Read more »