Durable Goods New Orders – Long-Term Charts Through January 2024

Many people place emphasis on Durable Goods New Orders as a prominent economic indicator and/or leading economic indicator. For reference, below are two charts depicting this measure. First, from the St. Louis Fed site (FRED), a chart through January 2024, updated on February 27, 2024. This value is $276,652 ($ Millions): (click on charts to …

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Charts Indicating Economic Weakness – February 2024

Throughout this site there are many discussions of economic indicators.  This post is the latest in a series of posts indicating facets of U.S. economic weakness or a notably low growth rate. The level and trend of economic growth is especially notable at this time. As seen in various sources, recession estimates have been at high levels. As seen …

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Consumer Confidence Surveys – As Of February 2, 2024

Advisor Perspectives had a post of February 2, 2024 (“Michigan Consumer Sentiment Soars In January“) that displays the latest Conference Board Consumer Confidence and University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index charts.  They are presented below: (click on charts to enlarge images) – – While I don’t believe that confidence surveys should be overemphasized, I find these …

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Average Hourly Earnings Trends

I have written many blog posts concerning the worrisome trends in income and earnings. Along these lines, one of the measures showing disconcerting trends is that of hourly earnings. While the concept of hourly earnings can be defined and measured in a variety of ways, below are a few charts that I believe broadly illustrate problematic …

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Employment Cost Index (ECI) – December 2023

While the concept of Americans’ incomes can be defined in a number of ways, many prominent measures continue to show disconcerting trends. One prominent measure is the Employment Cost Index (ECI). Here is a description from the BLS document titled “The Employment Cost Index:  what is it?“: The Employment Cost Index (ECI) is a quarterly …

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Real GDP Chart Since 1947 With Trendline – 4th Quarter 2023

For reference purposes, below is a chart from the Advisor Perspectives’ post of January 25, 2024 titled “…Real GDP at 3.3%, Higher Than Forecast” reflecting Real GDP, with a trendline, as depicted.  This chart incorporates the Gross Domestic Product, Fourth Quarter 2023 (Advance Estimate) of January 25, 2024: _________ I post various indicators and indices because I …

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Durable Goods New Orders – Long-Term Charts Through December 2023

Many people place emphasis on Durable Goods New Orders as a prominent economic indicator and/or leading economic indicator. For reference, below are two charts depicting this measure. First, from the St. Louis Fed site (FRED), a chart through December 2023, updated on January 25, 2024. This value is $295,559 ($ Millions): (click on charts to …

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Money Supply Charts Through December 2023

For reference purposes, below are two sets of charts depicting growth in the money supply. The first shows the M1, defined in FRED as the following: Before May 2020, M1 consists of (1) currency outside the U.S. Treasury, Federal Reserve Banks, and the vaults of depository institutions; (2) demand deposits at commercial banks (excluding those …

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Disturbing Charts (Update 52)

The following is the latest update of 10 charts that depict various aspects of the U.S. economic and financial situation. I find these charts portray disturbing long-term trends. These trends have been in effect for years. These charts raise a lot of questions.  As well, they highlight the “atypical” nature of our economic situation from …

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