Michael Griffis 
Economic Indicators For Dummies 

Everything you need to easily get a handle on economic
indicators

In today’s volatile, often troubling economic landscape, there
are myriad statistics and reports that paint an economic picture
that can sometimes resemble a work by Jackson Pollock. These
complex and often-conflicting reports could vex even the savviest
investor. Economic Indicators For Dummies explains how to
interpret and use key global economic indicators to make solid
investments, aid in business planning, and help develop informed
decisions. In plain English, it breaks down the complex language
and statistics to help you make sense of this critical
information.

You’ll discover how to interpret economic data within the
context of other sometimes-conflicting reports and statistics, and
use the information to make profitable decisions. You’ll understand
the meaning of such data as employment indices and housing and
construction stats and how they affect stocks, bonds, commodities
and international markets . . . and how you can use these
statistics to make investment decisions as well as plan strategic
goals for business growth. Economic Indicators For Dummies
breaks down dozens of statistics and patterns to give you a better
understanding of how various sources of data and information can be
used.

* Breaks down jargon and statistical concepts

* Covers how to use publicly available economic indicators to
better position your portfolio, improve returns, and make sensible,
long-range business plans

* Discusses the reliability and timeliness of the collected data,
while helping investors prioritize the flow of economic information
to avoid information overload

Whether you’re an investor, economics student, or business
professional involved in making key strategic decisions for your
company, Economic Indicators For Dummies has you
covered.

Table of Content

Introduction 1

Part I: Figuring Out the Economy 7

Chapter 1: Introducing Economic Indicators 9

Chapter 2: Explaining Economic Jargon 21

Chapter 3: Understanding the Big Picture: The Economy and Its Footprints 45

Part II: Making Money, Spending Money: Employment and Consumer Indicators 65

Chapter 4: Counting Jobs and Unemployment 67

Chapter 5: Survey Says: Considering Consumer Sentiment, Confidence, and Comfort 93

Chapter 6: Spreading the Wealth: Consumer Spending and the Economy 113

Part III: The Essence of Business: Product and Service Indicators 133

Chapter 7: GDP: The Whole Enchilada 135

Chapter 8: Following the Fed 161

Chapter 9: Profi ling Manufacturing: New Orders and Shipments185

Chapter 10: Grappling with Economic Indexes 201

Chapter 11: Spending on Housing and Residential Construction213

Part IV: Inflation, Productivity, Interest Rates, and Commodities: Oh My! 239

Chapter 12: Determining Infl ation’s Economic Impact 241

Chapter 13: Taking a Closer Look at Productivity and Economic Growth 261

Chapter 14: Eyeing Business and Municipal Borrowing in the Bond Market 273

Chapter 15: Harvesting Commodity Data 289

Part V: International Intrigue: Indicators beyond the United States 309

Chapter 16: Trading with the United States 311

Chapter 17: Following Economies Worldwide 325

Chapter 18: Monitoring Emerging Economies 345

Part VI: The Part of Tens 353

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Track the U.S. Economy 355

Chapter 20: Ten (Or So) Money-Making Tips You Can Use with Economic Indicators 361

Glossary 367

Index 375

About the author

Michael Griffis, MBA, has been an active trader for more than two decades. He has written about stock trading for online audiences, and today writes about investing and marketing for clients in the banking and brokerage industries.