Bruno Le Maire has repeated it many times: inflation will peak, then calm down. The assertion of the Minister of Economy has been confirmed by the European Central Bank. According to a survey of forecasters and published on July 22, 2022, inflation should rise to 7.3% in 2022, 3.6% in 2023, and 2.1% in 2024. In the meantime, how can we prevent melt the woolen stocking?
Many French people still store their savings in their current account. In April 2022, these deposits represented approximately 1,317 billion euros. A considerable sum, which dwindles as prices rise. At the time of going to the checkout first: the note of fuels, oils, fruits and vegetables, makes more and more cringe. But inflation also has a more pernicious effect: accumulated money devalues even if it is not spent. To protect against inflation, which savings to turn to? Several upgrades will take place. The Express takes stock.
First reflex, the booklet A. The preferred savings of the French will bring in 2% per year, on August 1st. The increase was announced by Bruno Le Maire in Le Parisien on July 14. This is twice as much as the old rate, and four times as much as last January. The Minister of the Economy pushes himself for this savings, guaranteed and whose interests are tax-exempt. "In the current situation, no other product offers so much security," he said.
But does the livret A protect against inflation? A rate of 2% is a level not reached since 2012, and sometimes higher than the remuneration of Obligations Assimilables du Trésor (OAT), the government debt securities that certain individuals buy. However, with inflation for the month of June (5.8%), the net return on the Livret A booklet is -3.8%. The booklet A, whose ceiling is set at 22,950 euros, therefore acts like a fridge: it slows down the melting of the wool stocking, without stopping it. It's always better than leaving your money in your checking account. And this makes it possible to finance the construction of social housing.
Another idea, the popular savings account (LEP). Currently, less than seven million French people have them. However, 15 million of them have the right to this savings, which is also guaranteed and tax-exempt. Still, the use of this booklet created in 1982 is not very... "popular". A shame for Bruno Le Maire, who assures the Parisian: "The LEP is the most effective investment to protect against inflation." The government will soon relaunch a communication campaign on this subject.
What if the General of Public Finances sends you an email, informing you that you have the right? The LEP interest rate will increase from 2.2% to 4.6% on August 1st. Its return net of inflation will then be approximately -1.2%. What seriously cushion the losses related to inflation, without however bringing in money. Weak point of this savings: the ceiling, set at 7,700 euros.
In 2021, the remuneration of guaranteed funds in euros amounted on average to 1.30% (net of fees, gross of tax), according to France Assureurs. A level then higher than the Livret A, but which did not cover inflation. But the trend is upwards: to slow down inflation, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to curb monetary creation and thus increased, on Thursday 21 July, its three main key rates by 0.50%.
However, life insurance funds in euros are made up of 80% bonds, which are highly correlated to key rates. New bonds issued should adjust to current rates. As these replace securities that have reached maturity, the remuneration of life insurance could increase, so as to prevent savers from turning to a livret A or to bond funds with all costs, and therefore up to date. on current yields.
Putting your money in a life insurance fund in euros could therefore prove to be the most protective in a few months. But again, expect a negative return. Another downside, this solution is the least "liquid" of the three. Unlike transfers from an A booklet, immediate, it is necessary to wait a few months to release this money. Up to 6 months, in the event of a financial crisis, according to the Sapin 2 law.
