Special Edition Economic Dashboard:
Fourth of July Index
This year marks the fifth installment of our Fourth of July Index. Total cost this year came down by $1.52 due to gasoline being $0.66 per gallon cheaper. However, excluding the tank of gas, the total cost of food and supplies was $8.38 higher, an 8.8% increase. The biggest contributor was charcoal, with a price increase of $6.19. Consumer products companies routinely shrink the size of their packaging while keeping the price the same, but sometimes they shrink the size and increase the price. In 2011 we priced a 15.7 pound bag of Kingsford self-starting charcoal at $8.89. This year we priced an 11.6 pound bag at $11.99.
The following table summarizes the five items with the largest cost increases and the five items with the largest cost decreases. Additionally, the full chart that includes all items is on the reverse side of this page for your perusal. We wish you and your family a happy Fourth!
Item | Total Cost | Change
Unleaded gasoline (15 gal.) | $41.55 | -$9.90
Bag of Doritos chips (family size) | $3.00 | -$1.49
Case of Pepsi Cola (24 ct.) | $6.99 | -$1.00
Ball Park Angus Beef Franks (8 ct.) | $4.49 | -$0.50
Dixie Ultra paper plates (40 ct.) | $4.54 | -$0.36
Case of Budweiser long neck 12 oz. bottles (24 ct.) | $17.48 | $0.50
Vlasic hamburger pickle chips (16 oz.) | $2.49 | $0.50
Kraft Deli Deluxe cheese slices (8 ct.) | $2.99 | $0.86
Potato salad (1 lb.) | $4.59 | $2.60
Bag of Kingsford Self Starting charcoal (15.7 lbs.) | $16.23 | $6.19
This commentary is provided for general information only and nothing contained in the material constitutes a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Although the statements of fact in this report are obtained from sources that Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio Management consider reliable, we do not guarantee their accuracy and any such information may be incomplete or condensed.