Recent CPI Data Reinforces Need for Inflation-Fighting Assets
February 26, 2025
Read Time 3 MIN
The latest U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for January 2025 revealed a higher-than-expected inflation rate of 3.0% annually, with a sharp monthly increase of 0.5%. This persistent inflationary pressure was heavily influenced by energy prices. The energy index rose by 1.1% in January, with gasoline prices climbing by 1.8%. Higher fuel costs impact many industries across the economy, leading to increased prices for consumers. Additionally, geopolitical tensions and fluctuating oil supplies are adding to the uncertainty in energy markets.
Persistent Inflation Influencing Markets
Year-Over-Year % Change
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED® as of 2/12/2025.
Inflation is also creating price swings in key commodities. Precious metals like gold and silver are gaining as investors seek inflation hedges. Industrial metals such as copper and aluminum are also seeing price increases due to high demand and supply constraints. In agriculture, rising costs for fuel and fertilizers are pushing food prices higher, further burdening consumers.
New tariff policies are another factor driving up costs for industries that rely on imported raw materials. While some domestic businesses benefit from these protections, supply chain disruptions and increased production expenses could add to inflation over time. This uncertainty makes it harder for businesses to plan and for investors to predict long-term market trends.
Natural Resources Equities Can Serve as an Inflation Hedge
Natural resources companies are well positioned to act as a hedge against inflation, outperforming U.S. stocks and bonds. Even in periods of modest inflation (2-6%), global resources have outperformed U.S. stocks broadly.
Average 12-Month Return in Varying Inflation Regimes
Diversified Miners” represented MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers ex. Gold & Silver Index from Sep-2001 to present, EMIX Global Mining ex. Gold & Energy Index from Jan-1986 to Aug-2001, and CRSP - 48 Industry Portfolios (Mines, Average Value Weighted) returns from Jan-1970 to Dec-1985. “Energy Producers” represented by MSCI ACWI Select Energy Producers Index from Sep-2001 to present, EMIX Global Energy Index from Jan-1986 to Aug-2001, and CRSP - 10 Industry Portfolios (Energy, Average Value Weighted) returns from Jan-1970 to Dec-1985. “Gold Miners” represented by NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index from Oct-1993 to present and CRSP’s - 48 Industry Portfolios (Gold, Average Value Weighted) returns from Jan-1970 to Sep-1993. “REITs” represented by FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index (note: index inception is Jan-1972). “U.S. Bonds” Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index from Jan-1976 to present, Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Government/Credit Index from Jan-1973 to Dec-1976 and a blend of Ibbotson's SBBI U.S. 1 Year Treasury Index, U.S. Intermediate-Term Government Bond Index, U.S. Long-Term Government Bond Index, and U.S. Long-Term Corporate Bond Index series from Jan 1970 to Dec-1971. “U.S. Equities” represented by S&P 500 Index.
Source: VanEck, Bloomberg, CRSP, FactSet, World Bank. Data as of December 2024. Past performance is no indication of future results. Please see additional definitions and index descriptions at the end of this presentation.
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VanEck Inflation-Fighting Investment Opportunities
Comprehensive Index-Based Exposure
VanEck Natural Resources Fund (HAP) offers diversified exposure to companies engaged in energy, metals, and agriculture, providing investors with a hedge against inflation while benefiting from global demand for essential commodities. Additionally, HAP's diversified portfolio helps mitigate risks from individual commodity price fluctuations, making it a compelling option for investors seeking low-cost exposure to global natural resources.
Actively Managed, Broad-Based Exposure from Proven Team
VanEck Global Resources Fund (GHAAX) provides investors with broad exposure to energy, metals, agriculture, alternative energy, and other resources, supported by a deep bench of portfolio managers and investment analysts with real-world engineering and geological experience backed by a research-driven, risk-managed investment approach.
Broad Real Assets Exposure that Takes Care of the Allocation Decisions for You
VanEck Real Assets ETF (RAAX) provides exposure to key inflation-fighting investments, adapting to different inflation levels and changing risks. RAAX invests across real assets including natural resources equities, commodities and income assets such as real estate, infrastructure and MLPs.
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Disclosures
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index includes Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS and CMBS (agency and non-agency). Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Government/Credit Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the performance of U.S. Dollar denominated U.S. Treasuries, government-related and investment grade U.S. corporate securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than one year. EMIX Global Energy Index (discontinued) measures the returns of companies in the oil, gas and consumable fuels extraction industries. EMIX Global Mining ex. Gold & Energy Index (discontinued) measure the returns of companies in the metal and mineral extraction industries excluding gold and energy companies. FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index is a free-float adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index of U.S. Equity REITs. Constituents of the Index include all tax-qualified REITs with more than 50 percent of total assets in qualifying real estate assets other than mortgages secured by real property. Ibbotson SBBI U.S. Intermediate Government Bond Index is an unweighted index that measures the performance of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government Agency bonds with maturities between four and seven years. Ibbotson SBBI U.S. Long-Term Corporate Bond Index is an unweighted index that measures the performance of U.S. corporate bonds with maturities of seven years or longer. NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index is a modified market capitalization-weighted index composed of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold. The Index is calculated and maintained by the New York Stock Exchange. MSCI ACWI Select Energy Producers Index aims to focus on companies in the energy industries that are highly sensitive to underlying prices of energy commodities. The index includes companies at or near the initial phase of energy production that are primarily engaged in the exploration and production of oil and gas or in the production and mining of coal and other consumable fuels related to the generation of energy. MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers ex. Gold & Silver Index aims to focus on companies in the industrial and rare earth metals (excluding gold and silver) that are highly sensitive to underlying prices of industrial and rare earth metals. The index includes companies that are primarily engaged in the production or extraction of metals and minerals, in the mining of precious metals excluding gold and silver (e.g. platinum), or in the production of aluminum or steel. S&P 500 Index is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. The index is a float-adjusted, market-cap-weighted index of 500 leading U.S. companies from across all market sectors including information technology, telecommunications services, utilities, energy, materials, industrials, real estate, financials, health care, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples.
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.
An investment in the VanEck Natural Resources ETF (HAP) may be subject to risks which include, but are not limited to, risks related to investments in natural resources companies, basic materials sector, energy sector, industrials sector, foreign securities, foreign currency, depositary receipts, special risk considerations of investing in European issuers, cash transactions, equity securities, high portfolio turnover, market, operational, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount and liquidity of fund shares and index-related concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Foreign investments are subject to risks, which include changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, and changes in currency exchange rates which may negatively impact the Fund's return.
You can lose money by investing in the Global Resources Fund - Class A (GHAAX). Any investment in the Fund should be part of an overall investment program, not a complete program. The Fund is subject to risks which may include, but are not limited to, risks associated with active management, agriculture companies, commodities and commodity-linked instruments, derivatives, direct investments, emerging market issuers, ESG investing strategy, foreign currency, foreign securities, global resources sector, market, operational, investing in other funds, small- and medium capitalization companies, special purpose acquisition companies, and special risk considerations of investing in Canadian issuers, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Emerging market issuers and foreign securities may be subject to securities markets, political and economic, investment and repatriation restrictions, different rules and regulations, less publicly available financial information, foreign currency and exchange rates, operational and settlement, and corporate and securities laws risks. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. Derivatives may involve certain costs and risks such as liquidity, interest rate, and the risk that a position could not be closed when most advantageous.
An investment in the VanEck Real Assets ETF (RAAX) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in real assets ETPs, which may subject the Fund to commodities, gold, natural resources companies, MLPs, real estate sector, infrastructure, ETP-related equity securities, small- and medium-capitalization companies, foreign securities, emerging market issuers, ETP-related foreign currency, credit, interest rate, call, concentration and derivative risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. The Fund may also be subject to fund of funds, affiliated fund, U.S. Treasury securities, subsidiary investment, commodity regulatory, subsidiary tax, liquidity, gap, cash transactions, high portfolio turnover, data, active management, operational, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, market, fund shares trading, premium/discount risk and liquidity of fund shares risks. Foreign investments are subject to risks, which include changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, and changes in currency exchange rates which may negatively impact the Fund's returns. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks.
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (All Items) (U.S. CPI; Headline CPI) is a measure of the average change in the price for goods and services paid by urban consumers between any two time periods. It can also represent the buying habits of urban consumers. This particular index includes roughly 88 percent of the total population, accounting for wage earners, clerical workers, technical workers, self-employed, short-term workers, unemployed, retirees, and those not in the labor force. The CPIs are based on prices for food, clothing, shelter, and fuels; transportation fares; service fees (e.g., water and sewer service). Core CPI is U.S. CPI excluding food and energy.
Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com/etfs. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.
© 2025 VanEck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation.
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Disclosures
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index includes Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS and CMBS (agency and non-agency). Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Government/Credit Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the performance of U.S. Dollar denominated U.S. Treasuries, government-related and investment grade U.S. corporate securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than one year. EMIX Global Energy Index (discontinued) measures the returns of companies in the oil, gas and consumable fuels extraction industries. EMIX Global Mining ex. Gold & Energy Index (discontinued) measure the returns of companies in the metal and mineral extraction industries excluding gold and energy companies. FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index is a free-float adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index of U.S. Equity REITs. Constituents of the Index include all tax-qualified REITs with more than 50 percent of total assets in qualifying real estate assets other than mortgages secured by real property. Ibbotson SBBI U.S. Intermediate Government Bond Index is an unweighted index that measures the performance of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government Agency bonds with maturities between four and seven years. Ibbotson SBBI U.S. Long-Term Corporate Bond Index is an unweighted index that measures the performance of U.S. corporate bonds with maturities of seven years or longer. NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index is a modified market capitalization-weighted index composed of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold. The Index is calculated and maintained by the New York Stock Exchange. MSCI ACWI Select Energy Producers Index aims to focus on companies in the energy industries that are highly sensitive to underlying prices of energy commodities. The index includes companies at or near the initial phase of energy production that are primarily engaged in the exploration and production of oil and gas or in the production and mining of coal and other consumable fuels related to the generation of energy. MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers ex. Gold & Silver Index aims to focus on companies in the industrial and rare earth metals (excluding gold and silver) that are highly sensitive to underlying prices of industrial and rare earth metals. The index includes companies that are primarily engaged in the production or extraction of metals and minerals, in the mining of precious metals excluding gold and silver (e.g. platinum), or in the production of aluminum or steel. S&P 500 Index is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. The index is a float-adjusted, market-cap-weighted index of 500 leading U.S. companies from across all market sectors including information technology, telecommunications services, utilities, energy, materials, industrials, real estate, financials, health care, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples.
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.
An investment in the VanEck Natural Resources ETF (HAP) may be subject to risks which include, but are not limited to, risks related to investments in natural resources companies, basic materials sector, energy sector, industrials sector, foreign securities, foreign currency, depositary receipts, special risk considerations of investing in European issuers, cash transactions, equity securities, high portfolio turnover, market, operational, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount and liquidity of fund shares and index-related concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Foreign investments are subject to risks, which include changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, and changes in currency exchange rates which may negatively impact the Fund's return.
You can lose money by investing in the Global Resources Fund - Class A (GHAAX). Any investment in the Fund should be part of an overall investment program, not a complete program. The Fund is subject to risks which may include, but are not limited to, risks associated with active management, agriculture companies, commodities and commodity-linked instruments, derivatives, direct investments, emerging market issuers, ESG investing strategy, foreign currency, foreign securities, global resources sector, market, operational, investing in other funds, small- and medium capitalization companies, special purpose acquisition companies, and special risk considerations of investing in Canadian issuers, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Emerging market issuers and foreign securities may be subject to securities markets, political and economic, investment and repatriation restrictions, different rules and regulations, less publicly available financial information, foreign currency and exchange rates, operational and settlement, and corporate and securities laws risks. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. Derivatives may involve certain costs and risks such as liquidity, interest rate, and the risk that a position could not be closed when most advantageous.
An investment in the VanEck Real Assets ETF (RAAX) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in real assets ETPs, which may subject the Fund to commodities, gold, natural resources companies, MLPs, real estate sector, infrastructure, ETP-related equity securities, small- and medium-capitalization companies, foreign securities, emerging market issuers, ETP-related foreign currency, credit, interest rate, call, concentration and derivative risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. The Fund may also be subject to fund of funds, affiliated fund, U.S. Treasury securities, subsidiary investment, commodity regulatory, subsidiary tax, liquidity, gap, cash transactions, high portfolio turnover, data, active management, operational, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, market, fund shares trading, premium/discount risk and liquidity of fund shares risks. Foreign investments are subject to risks, which include changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, and changes in currency exchange rates which may negatively impact the Fund's returns. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks.
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (All Items) (U.S. CPI; Headline CPI) is a measure of the average change in the price for goods and services paid by urban consumers between any two time periods. It can also represent the buying habits of urban consumers. This particular index includes roughly 88 percent of the total population, accounting for wage earners, clerical workers, technical workers, self-employed, short-term workers, unemployed, retirees, and those not in the labor force. The CPIs are based on prices for food, clothing, shelter, and fuels; transportation fares; service fees (e.g., water and sewer service). Core CPI is U.S. CPI excluding food and energy.
Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com/etfs. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.
© 2025 VanEck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation.