Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI)

The St. Louis Fed’s Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) is one index that is supposed to measure stress in the financial system.  Its reading as of the May 5, 2016 update (reflecting data through April 29) is -.952. Of course, there are a variety of other measures and indices that are supposed to measure financial stress and other related …

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Charts Indicating Economic Weakness – May 10, 2016

Throughout this site there are many charts of economic indicators.  At this time, the readings of these various indicators are especially notable.  While many are still indicating economic growth, others depict (or imply) various degrees of economic weakness.  Perhaps most prominent among those indicating economic growth is the First Quarter 2016 “Advance Estimate” of GDP …

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Monthly Changes In Total Nonfarm Payrolls – May 9, 2016 Update

For reference purposes, below are five charts that display growth in payroll employment. The first chart shows the monthly change in total nonfarm payrolls since the year 2000: (click on charts to enlarge images) Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: All Employees: Total nonfarm [PAYEMS] ; U.S. Department of …

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Building Financial Danger – May 9, 2016 Update

My overall analysis indicates a continuing elevated and growing level of financial danger which contains many worldwide and U.S.-specific “stresses” of a very complex nature. I have written numerous posts in this site concerning both ongoing and recent “negative developments.”  These developments, as well as other exceedingly problematic conditions, have presented a highly perilous economic environment …

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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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U-3 And U-6 Unemployment Rate Long-Term Reference Charts As Of May 6, 2016

Shortly after each monthly employment report I have been posting a continual series titled “3 Critical Unemployment Charts.” Of course, there are many other employment charts that can be displayed as well. For reference purposes, below are the U-3 and U-6 Unemployment Rate charts from a long-term historical perspective.  Both charts are from the St. …

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Deflation Probabilities – May 5, 2016 Update

While I do not agree with the current readings of the measure – I think the measure dramatically understates the probability of deflation, as measured by the CPI – the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta maintains an interesting data series titled “Deflation Probabilities.” As stated on the site: Using estimates derived from Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities …

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Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI)

The St. Louis Fed’s Financial Stress Index (STLFSI) is one index that is supposed to measure stress in the financial system.  Its reading as of the April 28, 2016 update (reflecting data through April 22) is -.924. Of course, there are a variety of other measures and indices that are supposed to measure financial stress and other related …

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