Toby Walters is a financial writer, investor, and lifelong learner. He has a passion for analyzing economic and financial data and sharing it with others. The real value of an item is its nominal ...

Distinguishing between nominal and real returns gives investors expanded insight into how their money grows over time. Nominal return reflects the raw percentage gain on an investment. Real return ...

An inflationary gap can occur due to increased consumer spending. Learn how it’s calculated and what affects it.