Inflation Hedging Through International Equity Investment

Abstract

For years common stock were thought to be an effective inflation hedge.  The dismal performance of domestic equities in the 1970’s was, thus, completely unanticipated.  A possible method for improving stock portfolio performance on a period-by-period basis vs. inflation would be the inclusion of foreign equities.  Regression analysis of various foreign equity markets and internationally efficient portfolios vs. measures of actual, expected and unexpected inflation indicated that including non-US equities in portfolios did not protect investors from inflation on a period-by-period basis in the 1970-88 time period.