QQQ   337.27 (+1.86%)
AAPL   175.05 (+1.37%)
MSFT   318.52 (+1.44%)
META   246.85 (+1.80%)
GOOGL   122.83 (+1.65%)
AMZN   118.15 (+2.29%)
TSLA   176.89 (+1.74%)
NVDA   316.78 (+4.97%)
NIO   7.82 (-2.62%)
BABA   85.77 (-5.41%)
AMD   107.93 (+4.03%)
T   16.55 (-0.66%)
F   11.64 (+1.22%)
MU   67.57 (+4.08%)
CGC   1.05 (+0.00%)
GE   104.01 (+0.52%)
DIS   93.76 (+1.07%)
AMC   5.07 (-0.59%)
PFE   36.48 (-0.73%)
PYPL   61.27 (-0.31%)
NFLX   371.29 (+9.22%)
QQQ   337.27 (+1.86%)
AAPL   175.05 (+1.37%)
MSFT   318.52 (+1.44%)
META   246.85 (+1.80%)
GOOGL   122.83 (+1.65%)
AMZN   118.15 (+2.29%)
TSLA   176.89 (+1.74%)
NVDA   316.78 (+4.97%)
NIO   7.82 (-2.62%)
BABA   85.77 (-5.41%)
AMD   107.93 (+4.03%)
T   16.55 (-0.66%)
F   11.64 (+1.22%)
MU   67.57 (+4.08%)
CGC   1.05 (+0.00%)
GE   104.01 (+0.52%)
DIS   93.76 (+1.07%)
AMC   5.07 (-0.59%)
PFE   36.48 (-0.73%)
PYPL   61.27 (-0.31%)
NFLX   371.29 (+9.22%)
QQQ   337.27 (+1.86%)
AAPL   175.05 (+1.37%)
MSFT   318.52 (+1.44%)
META   246.85 (+1.80%)
GOOGL   122.83 (+1.65%)
AMZN   118.15 (+2.29%)
TSLA   176.89 (+1.74%)
NVDA   316.78 (+4.97%)
NIO   7.82 (-2.62%)
BABA   85.77 (-5.41%)
AMD   107.93 (+4.03%)
T   16.55 (-0.66%)
F   11.64 (+1.22%)
MU   67.57 (+4.08%)
CGC   1.05 (+0.00%)
GE   104.01 (+0.52%)
DIS   93.76 (+1.07%)
AMC   5.07 (-0.59%)
PFE   36.48 (-0.73%)
PYPL   61.27 (-0.31%)
NFLX   371.29 (+9.22%)
QQQ   337.27 (+1.86%)
AAPL   175.05 (+1.37%)
MSFT   318.52 (+1.44%)
META   246.85 (+1.80%)
GOOGL   122.83 (+1.65%)
AMZN   118.15 (+2.29%)
TSLA   176.89 (+1.74%)
NVDA   316.78 (+4.97%)
NIO   7.82 (-2.62%)
BABA   85.77 (-5.41%)
AMD   107.93 (+4.03%)
T   16.55 (-0.66%)
F   11.64 (+1.22%)
MU   67.57 (+4.08%)
CGC   1.05 (+0.00%)
GE   104.01 (+0.52%)
DIS   93.76 (+1.07%)
AMC   5.07 (-0.59%)
PFE   36.48 (-0.73%)
PYPL   61.27 (-0.31%)
NFLX   371.29 (+9.22%)

U.S. Economic Data

Below you will find a list of recent U.S. economic data reports. The federal government, large universities, and other organizations regularly publish reports showing the status of a specific measure of economic activity, such as durable good sales, unemployment and retail sales. By comparing the results of an economic report to the previous release of that report, investors can identify general economic data and trends. More about economic reports.

Date/TimeReportCountryPeriodActualExpectedPrevious
05/22 03:00 PMInterest RateChileMay11.25-0
05/18 04:45 PMAnnual Trade BalanceNew ZealandApril-16.8--16.4
05/18 04:45 PMExportsNew ZealandApril6.8-6.51
05/18 04:45 PMImportsNew ZealandApril6.38-7.78
05/18 04:45 PMTrade BalanceNew ZealandApril427--1273
05/18 01:00 PMTrade BalanceArgentinaApril-126213-1059
05/18 01:00 PMInterest RateMexicoMay11.2511.2511.25
05/18 08:30 AMEIA-Nat Gas Chg BcfUnited States-9910878
05/18 08:00 AMLeading Index Chg MMUnited StatesApril-0.6-0.6-1.2
05/18 08:00 AMExisting Home SalesUnited StatesApril4.284.34.44
05/18 08:00 AMExist. Home Sales % ChgUnited StatesApril-3.4--2.4
05/18 07:00 AMCbank Wkly ReservesRussian Federation-599.5-599.2
05/18 07:00 AMCPI YYKuwaitApril3.69-3.7
05/18 06:30 AMPhilly Fed Business IndxUnited StatesMay-10.4-19.8-31.3
05/18 06:30 AMPhilly Fed Capex IndexUnited StatesMay2.5--5.4
05/18 06:30 AMPhilly Fed EmploymentUnited StatesMay-8.6--0.2
05/18 06:30 AMPhilly Fed Prices PaidUnited StatesMay10.9-8.2
05/18 06:30 AMNew Housing Price IndexCanadaApril-0.1-0
05/18 06:30 AMPhilly Fed 6M IndexUnited StatesMay-10.3--1.5
05/18 06:30 AMPhilly Fed New OrdersUnited StatesMay-8.9--22.7
05/18 06:30 AMGDP YYChileQ1-0.6-0.9-2.3
05/18 06:30 AMJobless Clm 4Wk AvgUnited States-244.25-245.25
05/18 06:30 AMInitial Jobless ClmUnited States-242254264
05/18 06:30 AMCont Jobless ClmUnited States-1.81.821.81
05/18 06:00 AMExportsKuwaitQ38.05-8.61
05/18 06:00 AMImportsKuwaitQ32.52-2.72
05/18 02:30 AMUnemployment RateHong KongApril3-3.1
05/18 01:00 AMPPI YYCzech RepublicApril6.47.510.2
05/18 01:00 AMEndYear CPI Fcst/Cb SvyTurkeyMay37.17-37.77
05/18 01:00 AMPolicy Int RatePhilippines-6.256.256.25
05/17 04:45 PMPPI - Outputs QQNew ZealandQ10.3-0.9
05/17 04:45 PMPPI - Inputs QQNew ZealandQ10.2-0.5
05/17 10:00 AMGDP YY Quarterly PrelimRussian FederationQ1-1.9-3-2.7
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Weekly Dist OutputUnited States-0.25-0.03
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Weekly Prods ImportsUnited States--0.03-0.1
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Wkly Refn UtilUnited States-10.50.3
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Weekly Crude ImportsUnited States--0.13-1.02
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Wkly Crude StkUnited States-5.04-0.922.95
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Weekly Heatoil StockUnited States-0.45--0.42
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Weekly Gasoline O/PUnited States--0.34-0.44
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Weekly Crude RunsUnited States-0.25-0.01
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Wkly Dist. StkUnited States-0.080.06-4.17
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Wkly Gsln StkUnited States--1.38-1.06-3.17
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Weekly Rfg StocksUnited States-0--0
05/17 08:30 AMEIA Wkly Crude CushingUnited States-1.46-0.4
05/17 06:30 AMHouse Starts MM: Change United StatesApril2.2--0.8
05/17 06:30 AMBuilding Permits: Number United StatesApril1.421.441.43
05/17 06:30 AMSecurities Foreign C$CanadaMarch-19.07-4.62
05/17 06:30 AMSecurities Cdns C$CanadaMarch-5.59--1.61
05/17 06:30 AMBuild Permits: Change MM United StatesApril-1.5--7.7
05/17 06:30 AMHousing Starts Number United StatesApril1.41.41.42
05/17 06:00 AMRetail Sales MMBrazilMarch0.8-0.8-0.1
05/17 06:00 AMRetail Sales YYBrazilMarch3.2-0.11
05/17 06:00 AMCPI YYQatarApril3.68-4.01
05/17 05:30 AMM3 Money SupplyIndia-9.7-9.5
05/17 05:00 AMRetail Sales YYSouth AfricaMarch-1.6-0.7-0.5
05/17 05:00 AMMortgage Refinance IndexUnited States-468.2-507.1
05/17 05:00 AMMortgage Market IndexUnited States-214.9-227.8
05/17 05:00 AMMBA 30-Yr Mortgage RateUnited States-6.57-6.48
05/17 05:00 AMMBA Purchase IndexUnited States-165.4-173.7
05/17 04:00 AMPPI YYGhanaApril43.9-43.7
05/17 03:00 AMHICP-X Tobacco MMEuropeApril0.6-0.9
05/17 03:00 AMHICP Final YYEuropeApril777
05/17 03:00 AMHICP-X F, E, A, T Final MMEuropeApril111
05/17 03:00 AMHICP-X F&E MMEuropeApril0.911.2
05/17 03:00 AMHICP-X F&E Final YYEuropeApril7.37.37.3
05/17 03:00 AMHICP-X tobacco YYEuropeApril7-6.9
05/17 03:00 AMHICP Final MMEuropeApril0.60.70.9
05/17 03:00 AMHICP-X F,E,A&T Final YYEuropeApril5.65.65.6
05/17 03:00 AMBenchmark Interest RateZambiaMay9.5-9.25
05/17 02:00 AMTrade Balance EUItalyMarch-0.92--1.89
05/17 02:00 AMGlobal Trade BalanceItalyMarch7.54-2.11
05/17 01:00 AMEU Norm Inflation YYSlovakiaApril141414.8
05/17 01:00 AMHICP Final YYAustriaApril9.5-9.6
05/17 01:00 AMEU Norm Inflation MMSlovakiaApril0.60.61.3
05/17 01:00 AMHICP Final MMAustriaApril0.9-1
05/16 11:30 PMILO Unemployment RateFranceQ17.17.17.2
05/16 10:30 PMIndustrial O/P Rev MM SA JapanMarch1.1-0.8
05/16 10:30 PMUnem Rate Monthly SANetherlandsApril3.4-3.5
05/16 09:00 AMTrade BalanceColombiaMarch-1084-850-554.9
05/16 09:00 AMImports YYColombiaMarch-17.1--13.2
05/16 08:00 AMNAHB Housing Market IndxUnited StatesMay504545
05/16 08:00 AMBusiness Inventories MM United StatesMarch-0.10.10.2
05/16 07:15 AMCapacity Utilization SAUnited StatesApril79.779.779.8
05/16 07:15 AMIndustrial Production MMUnited StatesApril0.5-0.10.4
05/16 07:15 AMManuf Output MMUnited StatesApril10.1-0.5
05/16 06:55 AMRedbook YY United States-1.6-1.3
05/16 06:30 AMManufacturing Sales MMCanadaMarch0.70.7-3.6
05/16 06:30 AMCPI Inflation MMCanadaApril0.70.40.5
05/16 06:30 AMCPI BoC Core YYCanadaApril4.1-4.3
05/16 06:30 AMCPI Inflation YYCanadaApril4.44.14.3
05/16 06:30 AMRetail Control United StatesApril0.70.3-0.3
05/16 06:30 AMRetail Sales MM United StatesApril0.40.8-0.6
05/16 06:30 AMRetail Sales Ex-Autos MM United StatesApril0.40.4-0.4
05/16 06:30 AMRetail Ex Gas/Autos United StatesApril0.6--0.3
05/16 06:30 AMCPI BoC Core MMCanadaApril0.5-0.6
05/16 06:00 AMNet Inflation YYPolandApril12.212.212.3
05/16 06:00 AMLoans & Advances YYUnited Arab EmiratesFebruary4.8-4.1
05/16 06:00 AMM3 Money Supply YYUnited Arab EmiratesFebruary14.05-14.4
05/16 03:30 AMUnemployment TotalSouth AfricaQ17.93-7.75
What economic reports are most valuable to investors?

Economic reports help investors stay ahead of trends that shape the market

Economic reports contain data about various sectors of the U.S. and global economy. These reports come out on a set schedule by different departments of the Federal Government. For example, on the first Friday of every month investors receive the monthly jobs creation report and unemployment rate.

Each monthly economic report (i.e. economic indicator) measures a particular part of the economy. As standalone reports, they tell a limited story. But put together, they give analysts and investors the data they need to assign an educated guess about the direction of individual securities or the broader market.

In this article, we’ll explain the most common categories of economic reports. We’ll also provide a list of the agencies that are most responsible for producing the report. We’ll review the difference between a leading indicator, lagging indicator and coincident indicator and we’ll conclude by reviewing how investors can use these reports to ensure they are getting the most from them.

The general categories of economic reports are:

  • Business activity – this category provides data regarding wholesale inventories, industrial production, regional manufacturing surveys (also called the “Business Outlook Survey”) and construction spending
  • Business inventories – this category provides data related to business inventories
  • International – this category provides data regarding international trade including our trade balance and export prices as well as international capital flows
  • Sales – this category reports automobile and truck sales along with retail sales
  • Orders – this category tracks data related to durable goods orders and factory orders
  • Real Estate – this category reports data on housing starts and building permits as well as new home sales
  • Production – this category measures Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – including real GDP. Reports in this category will also provide data on productivity and costs
  • Consumer – this is one of the more closely watched categories that reports on the use of consumer credit, the employment cost index and data regarding personal income and consumption
  • Employment – this is another closely watched category that includes the employment report which reports hourly earnings and nonfarm payrolls. Other indicators in this category track movement in the labor force including initial jobless claims and job openings
  • Price Increase (Inflation) – this category delivers two of the most commonly referenced economic indicators the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI)
  • Government – this category is essentially a report on the U.S. Treasury Budget (i.e. our nation’s balance sheet)
  • Monetary – this category gives a report on the nation’s money supply using M2 – a measure commonly used by central banks. This report is closely related to our nation’s monetary policy.

There are many U.S. government agencies that issue economic reports. The most common reports come from the following agencies:

  • S. Census Bureau
  • S. Treasury Department
  • Federal Reserve
  • Philadelphia Fed Index
  • S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
  • S. Department of Commerce
  • S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Federal Reserve Board

As we mentioned above, economic indicators are snapshots that highlight different aspects of economic activity. However, it would be virtually impossible to capture all the data needed in real time. For that reason, indicators are given one of three classifications:

  • Leading indicators - A phrase you’ll hear frequently in the media are reports on leading economic indicators. A leading indicator means a data point or a trend that begins to happen before it is detected in the overall economy. In this way leading indicators are said to signal what may happen in the future.

    These indicators include but are not limited to retail sales, housing starts and new home sales. The stock market, while not an economic report, is also considered a key leading indicator. An increase or decline in these forward-looking areas may trigger a subsequent increase or decrease in other areas of the economy.

  • Lagging Indicators - The opposite of leading indicators are lagging indicators. These indicators provide data that point out what is already being reflected in the economy. In other words, they are telling investors what has already happened.

    Lagging indicators include some of the most closely watched indicators such as unemployment (for people to be counted in the survey they have to already be unemployed), Gross domestic product (which tells you how strong the economy was at a certain period of time). The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which provides a broad measurement of inflation is also considered to be a lagging indicator as are business inventories. In these cases, analysts look to assess the strength of a trend.

  • Coincident indicators - As the name suggests, coincident indicators are occurring at approximately the same time as the changes they are signaling. Personal income would fall into this category because these should rise as an indication of a strong economy. Conversely, investors would expect personal income to decline in an economy that is weakening. Interest rates are another closely watched economic report that is considered a coincident indicator.

Some economic reports are more important to an investor’s portfolio than others. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is one of the most valuable reports because it provides an overall scorecard of how the country is doing economically.

GDP measures the market value of all the goods and services produced in the economy over a given period of time. It is reported quarterly and is presented on an annualized percent basis. As an investor, it is important to understand the context behind the GDP number. GDP growth is typically a byproduct of an expanding economy. A declining GDP is showing that the rate of economic growth is slowing. Two consecutive quarters of negative GDP indicates that the economy is in a recession.

That brings up an additional point when considering the value of these reports. Some of these are very industry focused (such as retail and housing). Every investor has to consider the data provided by an economic report based on the risk to their portfolio.

  • For example, if you are invested in financial services stocks, you’ll want to pay attention to the direction of interest rates as those will be among the stock most affected by interest rate changes. But you’ll also want to pay attention to housing data because that will affect the mortgage market.
  • If you are investing in a commodity such as crude oil, you will want to pay particular attention to crude oil prices and oil and gas production numbers.
  • If you’re invested in countries that do business internationally, you’ll want to track exports to see how well their products will be selling overseas.

Like any statistical measurement, every economic indicator has strengths and weaknesses. Some have large sample sizes; some have much smaller (or narrow geographic) samples. Some indicators, such as retail sales, can be extremely sensitive to seasonal adjustments. Therefore, investors should look at a variety of indicators before forming overall conclusions about the state of the economy, and particular about how it may affect any individual stock or a category of securities.

By taking the time to understand the strengths and limitations of different reports, it’s possible for investors to use various reports in tandem to help identify trends. For example, is a sudden decline in retail sales supported by lower personal expenditures, or are other factors weighing on the number? Brick-and-mortar stores can be affected by weather patterns that can skew the data (i.e. consumers may not be spending at all because they’re not leaving their home). If a report shows increased new factory orders, are there concurrent increases in factory shipments or in durable goods?

Also, because economic reports only provide a snapshot of the economy, they are best used in comparison to economic reports from previous months or even a year-over-year view. This can help smooth out seasonal differences or other anomalies that can affect the data.

Every week, investors receive economic reports that provide snapshots on the state of the economy in our country and of the world economy. The economic reports are divided into three categories: lagging indicators, leading indicators, and coincident indicators.

Investors need to pay close attention to economic indicators. These free, publicly available reports provide valuable data on the state of the economy that would be virtually impossible for an individual investor to compile on their own. Because they are released on a consistent schedule, investors are assured of receiving the information at the same time as other investors.

In a 24-hour news cycle, many analysts will try to provide early analysis of what the reports will say. Rather than focus on a given number, investors should pay attention to this commentary to gain a better understanding of what the numbers mean.

Economic reports, while very concise, are generally just a compilation of raw data. Any decisions regarding a change in asset allocation or investment strategy requires a deeper context of what trends the reports may be revealing.

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