Thursday, March 23, 2023

Updates Of Economic Indicators March 2023

The following is an update of various indicators that are supposed to predict and/or depict economic activity. These indicators have been discussed in previous blog posts:

The March 2023 Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) updated as of March 23, 2023:

The CFNAI, with a current reading of -.19:

CFNAI -.19

source:  Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chicago Fed National Activity Index [CFNAI], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed March 23, 2023: 
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CFNAI

The CFNAI-MA3, with a current reading of -.13:

CFNAIMA3

source:  Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chicago Fed National Activity Index: Three Month Moving Average [CFNAIMA3], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed March 23, 2023: 
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CFNAIMA3

The Aruoba-Diebold-Scotti Business Conditions (ADS) Index

The ADS Index as of March 17, 2023, reflecting data from March 1, 1960 through March 11, 2023, with last value .0108821:

ADS Index

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI), Coincident Economic Index (CEI), and Lagging Economic Index (LAG):

As per the March 17, 2023 Conference Board press release the LEI was 110.0 in February, the CEI was 109.8 in February, and the LAG was 118.5 in February.

An excerpt from the release:

“The LEI for the US fell again in February, marking its eleventh consecutive monthly decline,” said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager, Business Cycle Indicators, at The Conference Board. “Negative or flat contributions from eight of the index’s ten components more than offset improving stock prices and a better-than-expected reading for residential building permits. While the rate of month-over-month declines in the LEI have moderated in recent months, the leading economic index still points to risk of recession in the US economy. The most recent financial turmoil in the US banking sector is not reflected in the LEI data but could have a negative impact on the outlook if it persists. Overall, The Conference Board forecasts rising interest rates paired with declining consumer spending will most likely push the US economy into recession in the near term.”

Here is a chart of the LEI from the Advisor Perspectives’ Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) update of March 17, 2023:

Conference Board LEI 3-17-23 110.0

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I post various indicators and indices because I believe they should be carefully monitored.  However, as those familiar with this site are aware, I do not necessarily agree with what they depict or imply.

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The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 3981.14 as this post is written

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