Topic: Business Conditions

April Unit-Auto Sales Running at Just Half the Recent Pace

– May 7, 2020

Auto sales plunged again in April providing more evidence of the dramatic impact of COVID-19 and supporting the near-certainty that the U.S. has entered recession.

Business Conditions

ISM Nonmanufacturing Survey Drops Well into Recessionary Territory in April

– May 5, 2020

The nonmanufacturing sector contracted in April for the first time since 2009 and continues the tsunami of disastrous economic data since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Business Conditions

Manufacturing Sector Plummets in April

– May 1, 2020

The ISM PMI dropped again in April with many components plunging to multi-year or record lows.

Business Conditions

Cumulative Job Losses Show Labor Market Devastation

– April 30, 2020

The unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to crush the labor market and distort economic activity.

Business Conditions

U.S. Economy Declines at the Fastest Pace Since 2008

– April 29, 2020

The outbreak of COVID-19 and government responses have crushed the labor market and sent economic activity plunging. Expect a tsunami of negative economic data to continue for the next few months.

Business Conditions

Consumer Optimism Continued to Plunge in April

– April 28, 2020

Consumer attitudes deteriorated sharply in April and are likely to show heightened volatility in coming months amid a weak economy and damaged labor market.

Business Conditions

Nondefense Capital-Goods Orders Excluding Aircraft Remain in a Flat Trend

– April 24, 2020

Core capital-goods orders remain in a flat trend, but ongoing restrictions on business activity will likely result in distorted economic data for several more months.

Business Conditions

Struggling Economy Sends Consumer Sentiment Tumbling Again in April

– April 24, 2020

The unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is distorting economic activity, crushing the labor market, and pummeling consumer sentiment.

Business Conditions

Massive Job Losses Continue but The Pace Slows

– April 23, 2020

The unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to crush the labor market and distort economic activity.

Business Conditions

Regional Fed Manufacturing Surveys Plunge Again in April

– April 16, 2020

Regional Fed manufacturing surveys show a sharp drop in business conditions for local manufacturers in the northeast as severe economic disruptions continue.

Business Conditions

Massive Job Losses Continue for a Fourth Week

– April 16, 2020

The unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to crush the labor market and distort economic activity.

Business Conditions

Retail Sales Plunge in March

– April 15, 2020

Retail sales were sharply lower in March and are likely to show significant weakness over the next several months.