IBM CEO says inflation concerns may cause “some confusion”

IBM Chief Executive Arvind Krishna (Arvind Krishna) told CNBC that he was “always worried” about inflation and warned of possible disruptions in the future.

Krishna told CNBC on Monday after being asked what kept him awake at night: “With all the liquidity and rising concerns about inflation, this may cause some confusion.”

However, the head of the technology giant said that such damage may not happen for a period of time.

“I’m always worried [inflation], But I’m not sure it will have an impact on the business in 2022,” Krishna said in ADIPEC Energy Industry Forum In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has previously stated that he expects inflation to continue “Good till next year“And admit it is”Depressing“Supply chain issues show no signs of improvement. However, the Fed insists that price increases are largely related to Coronavirus pandemic And supply chain problems will pass.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s October Consumer Price Index rose 0.9% month-on-month, covering products from gasoline and healthcare to groceries and rentals Report On November 10, it was significantly higher than expected. The reading climbed to 6.2% year-on-year, the highest point since December 1990.

Krishna also said that if a new Covid variant emerges, the economy may slow down.

“We are still facing a pandemic,” he said. “If there are some new variants that are even worse than delta, it will bother me because I think it will cause a temporary rather than permanent slowdown.”

Krishna added that the Covid protocol and vaccine are minimizing the impact of the virus.

— Additional reporting by Sam Meredith of CNBC.