In yet another sign that higher price dynamics could stick around longer than many previously believed, the number of times the word “inflation” was mentioned during earnings calls in the third quarter has surged to its highest level in over two decades, according to a Bloomberg tally. Transcripts of analyst briefings of 1,557 global stocks in the third quarter showed that inflation was mentioned over 3,600 times, according to Bloomberg, which noted that this is the highest number in more than 20 years. The rise in corporate inflation chatter, like rising prices themselves, paint a picture of greater persistence around upward price pressures, even as Federal Reserve officials and members of the Biden administration remain wedded to the “transitory” inflation framing. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in remarks to CNN on Oct. 24, said she believes inflation levels would return to normal by the second half of next year as supply-side bottlenecks …