Economic Indicators

Average hourly earnings measures the mean hourly pay for all private nonfarm employees, serving as the primary indicator of wage inflation and a key input for Federal Reserve policy decisions.

Coincident indicators are economic metrics that move in real time with the overall economy, confirming the current phase of the business cycle rather than predicting future direction.

The Consumer Sentiment Index is a monthly survey by the University of Michigan measuring consumer attitudes about personal finances and business conditions, widely watched for its inflation expectations data.

Existing home sales measures the annualized number of previously owned homes sold, published by the National Association of Realtors as a key gauge of housing market activity and consumer confidence.

The Import Price Index measures the change in prices of goods and services purchased from other countries, providing insight into imported inflation and the impact of currency and trade dynamics on domestic prices.

The ISM Services Index measures business activity in the U.S. service sector, which represents approximately 80% of GDP, using the same above-50 expansion framework as the manufacturing PMI.

The JOLTS report measures the number of unfilled job openings, hires, separations, and quits across the U.S. economy, providing insight into labor demand, worker confidence, and labor market tightness.

Lagging indicators are economic metrics that change direction after the economy has already shifted, providing confirmation of economic trends and business cycle turning points.

The Leading Economic Index is a composite of 10 economic indicators designed to predict future economic activity, published monthly by the Conference Board.

Retail sales measures the total receipts of stores selling merchandise and related services to final consumers, serving as a key indicator of consumer spending trends and economic health.