Our economy is large and complex. Assessing its health and likely path requires examining many different measures, all of which are interconnected to some degree. One of the most relevant variables is the rate of inflation. In its most basic form, rising prices stem from too many dollars (i.e. demand) chasing too few goods and services (supply). Other factors, such as tariffs, can also have a significant impact. There are currently differing schools of thought about the outlook for inflation among both economists and investors, creating heightened uncertainty.