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 in the October 2023 Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Survey the consensus (average estimate) among various economists is for 2.18% GDP in 2023, .98% GDP in 2024, 2.12% GDP in 2025, and 1.99% in 2025.
Charts Indicating U.S. Economic Weakness
Below is a small sampling of charts that depict weak growth or contraction, and a brief comment for each:
The Yield Curve (T10Y2Y)
Many people believe that the Yield Curve is a leading economic indicator for the United States economy.
On March 1, 2010, I wrote a post on the issue, titled “The Yield Curve As A Leading Economic Indicator.”
While I continue to have the stated reservations regarding the “Yield Curve” as an indicator, I do believe that it should be monitored.
The U.S. Yield Curve (one proxy seen below) is (all things considered) notably inverted when viewed from a long-term perspective. Below is the spread between the 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity and the 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity from June 1976 through the January 5, 2024 update, showing a value of -.35% [10-Year Treasury Yield (FRED DGS10) of 3.99% as of the January 5 update, 2-Year Treasury Yield (FRED DGS2) of 4.38% as of the January 5 update]:
source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity [T10Y2Y], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed December 6, 2023: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/T10Y2Y
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All Employees, Temporary Help Services (TEMPHELPS)
I have written extensively about many facets of employment and unemployment, as the current and future unemployment issue is of tremendous importance yet is in many ways misunderstood.
One theory regarding employment is that hiring cycles typically begin with an uptake in temporary employment. Conversely, due to various factors a reduction in temporary employees can be an (early) indicator of lessening labor demand.
Shown below is this measure with last value of 2,831.0 (Thousands) through December, last updated January 5, 2024:
Below is this measure displayed on a “Percent Change From Year Ago” basis with value -6.8%:
source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, All Employees, Temporary Help Services [TEMPHELPS], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed January 5, 2024: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/TEMPHELPS
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Motor Vehicle Retail Sales: Heavy Weight Trucks (HTRUCKSSA)
Sales of “Heavy Weight Trucks” (HTRUCKSSA) has recently been volatile. Shown below is this measure with last value of 39.867 Thousand through November 2023, last updated December 29, 2023:
Below is this measure displayed on a “Percent Change From Year Ago” basis with value -7.0%:
source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Motor Vehicle Retail Sales: Heavy Weight Trucks [HTRUCKSSA], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed January 5, 2024: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/HTRUCKSSA
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Value of Manufacturers’ New Orders for Consumer Goods Industries (ACOGNO)
A measure for consumer goods exhibiting a recent peak is the “Value of Manufacturers’ New Orders for Consumer Goods Industries” (ACOGNO). Shown below is this measure with last value of 245,980 ($ Millions) through November 2023 (last updated January 5, 2024):
Displayed below is this same ACOGNO measure on a “Percent Change From Year Ago” basis with value -3.3%:
source: U.S. Census Bureau, Value of Manufacturers’ New Orders for Consumer Goods Industries [ACOGNO], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; accessed January 5, 2024: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/ACOGNO
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Other Indicators
As mentioned previously, many other indicators discussed on this site indicate weak economic growth or economic contraction, if not outright (gravely) problematical economic conditions.
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The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation
SPX at 4763.54 as this post is written
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