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NationalEconomicTrends
November 2008

Predicting Consumption: A Lesson in Real-Time Data

C

to a researcher at the time of the estimate. The approximated
ontinuing crises in U.S. housing and financial markets
have increased concerns about an impending recesmeasure for 2008:Q3 is –2.3 percent, suggesting the first
sion, which typically involves two quarters of negative
decline in PCE since the fourth quarter of 1991. On average,
GDP growth. All recessions since the early 1950s, except the
the second-month PCE is close to the reported quarterly data;
one in 2001, included a contraction in personal consumption
however, it under predicts the advance release by an average
expenditures (PCE). Because roughly 70 percent of the
of 0.15 percentage points over the sample. The correlation
country’s GDP can be attributed to PCE on goods and servbetween the two series in the chart is 0.90.
ices, any contraction in consumption expenditures weighs
Most of the difference between the two series disappears
heavily on economic growth.
when data are revised. In fact, the actual quarterly PCE growth
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) measures GDP
rate and the approximation using second-month data is
and, two months after the end of each quarter, releases its GDP
almost perfect, differing by only 0.03 percentage points when
estimates for that quarter.1 In addition to releasing data on
both growth rates are computed using current data. In sumtotal output, the BEA releases data on each component of
mary, this simple calculation can provide a quite accurate
GDP: PCE, investment, government expenditures, and net
picture of the quarterly consumption growth rate a month
exports. Unlike the other components, PCE estimates are
ahead of the BEA’s first official release. In addition, the use
also released monthly as part of the BEA’s “Personal Income
of real-time (or unrevised) data is essential for evaluating
and Outlays” report. Quarterly PCE is the average of monthly
the performance of this or any calculation.
PCE over the three months in the quarter, and both monthly
—Riccardo DiCecio and Charles S. Gascon
and quarterly data are subsequently revised multiple times.
1 Both the GDP and the “Personal Income and Outlays” releases are available
These monthly PCE releases have been spotlighted
at http://www.bea.gov/national/index.htm. The current release schedule for the
recently: As it turns out, the PCE measure for the second
National Economic Accounts is available at http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/
month of a given quarter is close to the measure for the
news_release_sort_national.htm.
entire quarter. For example, the PCE for
February 2008 (reported March 28) was
Annualized Growth Rate of Real Personal Consumption Expenditures
$8,365.5 billion; the advance release of
2008:Q1 PCE (reported May 1) was
10
$8,369.1 billion. The rationale for using
the second month as a proxy for a quar8
ter’s average is simple: It is available
sooner—one month before the advance
6
release of the quarterly figure. It is also
4
quite reliable: On average, the economy
tends to grow; if the growth rate of con2
sumption from month to month within a
quarter is constant, the PCE for the sec0
ond month is close to that quarter’s
average.
–2
Second-Month Estimate
The chart plots the approximated
Reported
(second-month) and actual growth rates
–4
of PCE since 1991 using real-time data:
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
That is, the growth rates at each point
NOTE: At time of publication, the actual 2008:Q3 data had not been reported by the BEA; only the
second-month estimate is reported in the chart.
on the chart are computed using only
SOURCE: Authors’ calculations with real-time ALFRED data; http://alfred.stlouisfed.org/.
the data that would have been available
Views expressed do not necessarily reflect official positions of the Federal Reserve System.

research.stlouisfed.org

Contents
Page
3
4
7
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
27

Economy at a Glance
Output and Growth
Interest Rates
Inflation and Prices
Labor Markets
Consumer Spending
Investment Spending
Government Revenues, Spending, and Debt
International Trade
Productivity and Profits
Quick Reference Tables
Notes and Sources

Conventions used in this publication:
1. Shaded areas indicate recessions, as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
2. Percent change refers to simple percent changes. Percent change from year ago refers to the percent change from the
same month or quarter during the previous year. Compounded annual rate of change shows what the growth rate would
be over an entire year if the same simple percent change continued for four quarters or twelve months. The compounded
annual rate of change of x between the previous quarter t –1 and the current quarter t is: [(xt /x t – 1 )4 –1] × 100.
For monthly data replace 4 with 12.
3. All data with significant seasonal patterns are adjusted accordingly, unless labeled NSA.

We welcome your comments addressed to:
Editor, National Economic Trends
Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P.O. Box 442
St. Louis, MO 63166-0442
or to:
stlsFRED@stls.frb.org

National Economic Trends is published by the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Visit the Research Division’s website at research.stlouisfed.org/publications/net to
download the current version of this publication or register for e-mail notification updates. For more information on data in this publication, please visit research.stlouisfed.org/fred2 or call
(314) 444-8573.

updated through
11/03/08

National Economic Trends

Real GDP Growth

Consumer Price Index

Compounded annual rates of change

Percent change
1.6

8

1.2

6

0.8
4
0.4
2

0

0.0
0

-0.4

-0.8

-2
16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

16437

2005

16802

Industrial Production

Interest Rates

Percent change

Percent

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

6

1.5
1.0

10-Year
Treasury

5
0.5
0.0

4

3-Month
Treasury

-0.5
3
-1.0
-1.5

2

-2.0
1
-2.5
-3.0

0
16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Change in Nonfarm Payrolls

16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Unemployment Rate

Thousands

Percent of labor force

400

6.2

300
5.7
200

100

5.2

0
4.7
-100

-200

4.2
16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

3

updated through
11/03/08

National Economic Trends
Real Gross Domestic Product
Percent change from year ago
10

5

0

-5

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Industrial Production and Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Indexes
Percent change from year ago

Index

18

74

Industrial Production
(left scale)

12

66

6

58

0

50

ISM
(right scale)

-6

42
34

-12
-18

26

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Aggregate Private Nonfarm Hours
Percent change from year ago
12
8
4
0
-4
-8

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Real Change in Private Inventories
Percent of GDP
2

1

0

-1

-2

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Research Division

4

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
11/03/08

National Economic Trends

Real Final Sales and GDP

Real GDP Revisions

Compounded annual rates of change

Compounded annual rates of change

8

8

6

Advance

Preliminary

6

Final

Annual Revision

5

Final
Sales

4

7

4
3

2

2
1

0

GDP (bar)

0

-2

-1
16802

2006

17167

2007

2008

17532

Industrial Production and ISM Index
Percent change

68

ISM
(right scale)

62

0.6

56

0.0

50

-0.6

44

Industrial Production (bar)
(left scale)

-1.2

38

-1.8

32

-2.4

26

-3.0

20

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

2007:4

2008:1

2008:2

2008:3

Nominal Gross Domestic Product
Index

1.8
1.2

2007:3

17898

Compounded annual rates of change
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
16802

17898

Aggregate Private Nonfarm Hours

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Average Weekly Private Nonfarm Hours

Percent change

Hours

1.00

34.25

0.75
0.50

34.00

0.25
0.00

33.75

-0.25
-0.50

33.50
16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Real Change in Private Inventories

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Inventory-Sales Ratio

Billions of 2000 dollars

Manufacturing and trade

80

1.34

60

1.32

40
1.30

20
0

1.28

-20

1.26

-40
1.24

-60
-80

1.22
16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

5

updated through
10/30/08

National Economic Trends
Contribution of Components to Real GDP Growth
Percentage points at compounded annual rates
10

8

6

4

2

0

-2

-4

-6
06Q4

07Q1

07Q2

07Q3

07Q4

08Q1

08Q2

Consumption

Exports

Government

Imports

Inventories

Investment

08Q3

Contributions to Real GDP Growth Rate
2006

2007

4th

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

1st

2nd

3rd

Final Sales

2.91

1.11

4.32

4.07

0.79

0.89

4.33

-0.81

Consumption

2.55

2.71

1.42

1.44

0.67

0.61

0.87

-2.25

-1.27

-0.57

0.47

-0.15

-0.97

-0.86

-0.25

-0.83

Fixed Investment

Nonresidential
Residential
Government

Federal
State and Local

2008

-0.09

0.33

1.07

0.91

0.36

0.26

0.27

-0.11

-1.18

-0.91

-0.60

-1.06

-1.33

-1.12

-0.52

-0.72

0.30

0.17

0.77

0.75

0.16

0.38

0.78

1.15

0.12

-0.26

0.47

0.51

-0.04

0.41

0.47

0.97

0.18

0.43

0.30

0.24

0.19

-0.03

0.31

0.18

Net Exports

1.33

-1.20

1.66

2.03

0.94

0.77

2.93

1.13

Exports
Imports

1.66

0.06

1.01

2.54

0.53

0.63

1.54

0.78

-0.33

-1.25

0.65

-0.51

0.40

0.14

1.39

0.35

Change in Inventory

-1.41

-1.06

0.47

0.69

-0.96

-0.02

-1.50

0.56

Residual

-0.22

-0.24

-0.15

-0.24

-0.34

-0.10

0.02

0.26

1.50

0.05

4.79

4.76

-0.17

0.87

2.83

-0.25

Real GDP Growth

Research Division

6

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
11/03/08

National Economic Trends

Interest Rates
Percent
18

15

12

9

10-Year Treasury
6

3-Month Treasury

3

0
83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Treasury Yield Curve
Percent
5.0

Oct 2007

4.5
4.0
3.5

Week Ending: 10/31/2008

3.0

Oct 2008
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5

3m

1y

.

2y

5y

7y

10y

Standard and Poor's 500 Index with Reinvested Dividends
Percent change from year ago
75

50

25

0

-25

-50
83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

7

updated through
10/31/08

National Economic Trends
NIPA Chain Price Indexes
Percent change from year ago
8

6

4

GDP

2

Gross Domestic Purchases

0

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Consumer Price Index
Percent change from year ago
8

6

4

Excl. Food
and Energy
2

All Items
0

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Producer Price Index, Finished Goods
Percent change from year ago
12

8

Excl. Food
and Energy

4

0

PPI
-4

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Employment Cost Index and Compensation per Hour
Percent change from year ago
12

9

Comp. per Hour
6

3

ECI
0

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Research Division

8

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
11/03/08

National Economic Trends

NIPA Chain Price Indexes

Oil & Natural Gas Prices: Spot & Futures

Compounded annual rates of change

Dollars per barrel

5

Gross Domestic
Purchases

4

48

132

40

3

108

2

84

1

60

0

Spot Oil
(left scale)

36

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

2004

2005

Gas Futures
(right scale)

2006

2004
2005
2006
2007
Note: Futures prices as of 10/31/2008.

2007

2008

2008

Consumer Price Index

Consumption Chain Price Index

Compounded annual rates of change

Compounded annual rates of change

15

12

10

24

8

Spot Gas
(right scale)

12

2006

32

Oil Futures
(left scale)

16

GDP (bar)
-1

Dollars per million btu

156

2009

2009

0

2010

8

PCE (bar)

CPI (bar)
5

4

0

0

Excl. Food
& Energy

-5

Excl. Food
& Energy

-4

-10

-8

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

16802

2006

2007

17167

Producer Price Index, Finished Goods

Unit Labor Cost

Compounded annual rates of change

Compounded annual rates of change

40

18

30

17532

2008

17898

12

PPI (bar)
20

6

Nonfarm

10
0
0

Excl. Food
& Energy

-10

Manufacturing (bar)

-6

-20

-12

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

16802

2006

17167

2007

Employment Cost Index

Compensation per Hour

Percent change from year ago

Compounded annual rates of change

17532

2008

17898

15

8

Benefits
12
6
9

Compensation

4

6
3

2

Wages and Salaries

0

0

-3
15706

2003

16071

2004

16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

9

updated through
10/03/08

National Economic Trends
Employment
Percent change from year ago
8

6

4

Payroll Survey
2

Household Survey
0

-2

-4
83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Unemployment, Labor Force Participation, and Employment Rates
Percent of labor force

Percent of population
70

15

Labor Force/Population
(right scale)
67

12

Employment/Population
(right scale)
9

64

6

61

Unemployment Rate
(left scale)

3

58

0

55

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Duration of Unemployment
Percent of labor force

Weeks

4.50

16

3.75

14

3.00

12

Unemployed < 5 Weeks
(left scale)

2.25

10

Unemployed > 15 Weeks
(left scale)

1.50

8

Median
(right scale)
0.75

6

0.00

4

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Research Division

10

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
11/03/08

National Economic Trends

Change in Nonfarm Payrolls

Change in Manufacturing Payrolls

Thousands

Thousands

375

20

300

10
0

225

-10
150
-20
75
-30
0
-40
-75

-50

-150

-60

-225

-70

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

Change in Household Employment

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

Labor Force and Population

Thousands

Percent change from year ago
2.0

800
600

1.5

400

90% Confidence

200
0
-200
-400
-600

Pop.

1.0

0.5

Labor Force
0.0

-800
-1000

-0.5
16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

Available Labor Supply and Components

15706

2003

16071

2004

16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Unemployment Rate & Job Openings Rate

Percent of labor force

Percent

10

7.0

Percent
4.5

9

Unemployment Rate
(left scale)

6.5
8

Available Labor Supply

90% Confidence

2006

6.0

7
6

4.0

3.5

5.5

3.0

5.0

2.5

5

Unemployed
4

4.5

2.0

Job Openings Rate
(right scale)

3

Want to Work
4.0

2
15706

2003

16071

2004

16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

1.5

2003

15706

2004

16071

2005

16437

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

2009

17898

18263

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

11

updated through
10/30/08

National Economic Trends
Real Disposable Personal Income
Percent change from year ago, quarterly data
12

8

4

0

-4

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Real Consumption
Percent change from year ago, quarterly data

Percent change from year ago, quarterly data

24

12

Durables
(left scale)

16
8

8
4

Total
(right scale)

0

0

-8

-4

-16

-8

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Retail and Food Services Sales
Percent change from year ago, quarterly average
16
12
8
4
0
-4

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

*Data from Jan. 1992 to the present are on a NAICS basis; data prior to Jan. 1992 are on an SIC basis and are not strictly comparable (see End Note).

Debt Service Payments and Household Debt Outstanding
Percent change from year ago, quarterly data

Percent of disposable personal income

18

15

15

14

Debt Service Payments
(right scale)

12

13

9

12

6

11

Household Debt Outstanding
(left scale)

3

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

10

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Research Division

12

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
10/31/08

National Economic Trends

Real Disposable Personal Income

Personal Saving Rate

Percent change

Percent

6

6

4

4

2

2

0

0

-2

-2

-4

-4

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

Real Consumption

15706

2003

16071

2004

16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Real Consumption

Compounded annual rates of change

Percent change

6.0

0.9

4.5
0.6
3.0
1.5

0.3

0.0

0.0

-1.5
-0.3
-3.0
-4.5

-0.6

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

16802

2006

2007

17167

17532

2008

17898

Retail & Food Services

Real Durables Consumption & Vehicle Sales

Percent change

Percent change

Millions of vehicles, annual rate
20

6

4
3

Autos and Light Trucks
(right scale)

4

Ex.
Autos

2

18

2

16

0

14

1
0

Durables (bar)
(left scale)

-2

-1

12

Total (bar)
-2

10

-4

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

Consumer Sentiment (U. of Michigan)

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Real Durables Consumption

Index

Compounded annual rates of change

110

22.5

100

15.0

90
7.5
80
0.0
70
-7.5

60
50

-15.0
15706

2003

16071

2004

16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

13

updated through
10/30/08

National Economic Trends
Investment
Percent of nominal GDP
24
22

Total
20
18
16

Private

14
12

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Private Fixed Investment
Percent change from year ago
30
24
18

Nominal

12
6

Real

0
-6
-12
-18

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Real Nonresidential Fixed and Equipment & Software Investment
Percent change from year ago
25
20

Equipment &
Software

15
10

Nonresidential

5
0
-5
-10
-15

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Real Residential Fixed Investment
Percent change from year ago
60
40
20
0
-20
-40

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

07
07

08
08

09

Research Division

14

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
10/30/08

National Economic Trends

Gross Saving Rates and Balance on Current Account (NIPA)
Percent of GDP
25
20

Gross Private Saving

15
10

Gross Govt. Saving

5
0

BOCA

-5
-10

83
83

84
84

85
85

86
86

87
87

88
88

89
89

90
90

91
91

92
92

93
93

94
94

95
95

96
96

97
97

98
98

99
99

00
00

01
01

02
02

03
03

04
04

05
05

06
06

Real Private Fixed Investment

Nondefense Capital Goods Orders

Compounded annual rates of change

Percent change from year ago, excluding aircraft

15

30

10

20

5

10

0

0

-5

-10

-10

07
07

08
08

09

Orders

Equipment & Software
Investment

-20
16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

15706

2003

16071

2004

16437

2005

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

Real Equipment & Software Investment

Real Nonresidential Fixed Investment

Compounded annual rates of change

Compounded annual rates of change

24

24

18

18

12

12

6

6

0

0

-6

2008

17898

-6
16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Real Residential Fixed Investment

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Housing Starts and New Home Sales

Compounded annual rates of change

Millions, annual rate

20

2.6

1.32

2.2

1.16

10

Millions, annual rate

1.00

1.8
0

Housing Starts
(left scale)

1.4
-10

New Home Sales
(right scale)

1.0
-20

0.84
0.68

0.6

-30

0.52

0.2
16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

16802

0.36

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

15

updated through
10/30/08

National Economic Trends
Govt. Consumption and Investment

Govt. Current Receipts and Expenditures

Billions of 2000 dollars

Percent of GDP

2400

35

Total Expenditures

2100
30

1800

Total

Total Receipts

1500
25
1200

Fed. Expenditures

State & Local

900

20

Federal
600

Fed. Receipts
300

15
84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

10

84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

10

Government Budgets
Billions of dollars

National Income Accounts

Unified Budget

Calendar Years

Fiscal Years

State and Local

1991

Federal

Federal

Receipts

Expenditures

Surplus or
Deficit (-)

789.2

793.3

-4.1

1101.3

1315.0

-213.7

1055.1

1324.3

-269.2
-290.3

Receipts

Expenditures

Surplus or
Deficit (-)

Receipts

Outlays

Surplus or
Deficit (-)

1992

845.7

845.0

0.7

1147.2

1444.6

-297.4

1091.3

1381.6

1993

886.9

886.0

0.9

1222.5

1496.0

-273.5

1154.5

1409.5

-255.1

1994

942.9

932.4

10.5

1320.8

1533.1

-212.3

1258.7

1461.9

-203.2

1995

990.2

978.2

12.0

1406.5

1603.5

-197.0

1351.9

1515.9

-164.0

1996

1043.3

1017.5

25.8

1524.0

1665.8

-141.8

1453.2

1560.6

-107.4

1997

1097.4

1058.3

39.1

1653.1

1708.9

-55.8

1579.4

1601.3

-21.9

1998

1163.2

1111.2

52.0

1773.8

1734.9

38.9

1722.0

1652.7

69.3

1999

1236.7

1186.3

50.4

1891.2

1787.6

103.6

1827.6

1702.0

125.6

2000

1319.5

1269.5

50.0

2053.8

1864.4

189.4

2025.5

1789.2

236.2

2001

1373.0

1368.2

4.8

2016.2

1969.5

46.7

1991.4

1863.2

128.2

2002

1410.1

1444.3

-34.2

1853.2

2101.1

-247.9

1853.4

2011.2

-157.8
-377.6

2003

1494.2

1514.5

-20.3

1879.9

2252.1

-372.2

1782.5

2160.1

2004

1594.3

1592.8

1.5

2008.9

2379.5

-370.6

1880.3

2293.0

-412.7

2005

1714.4

1684.9

29.5

2266.9

2558.6

-291.7

2153.9

2472.2

-318.3

2006

1811.4

1765.3

46.1

2510.4

2711.6

-201.2

2407.3

2655.4

-248.2

2007

1902.8

1892.4

10.4

2651.2

2880.5

-229.3

2567.7

2729.2

-161.5

2006Q4

1828.4

1796.6

31.8

2568.6

2721.8

-153.2

573.5

653.9

-80.4

2007Q1

1877.5

1854.3

23.2

2612.8

2837.9

-225.1

547.4

725.4

-178.0

2007Q2

1909.8

1874.0

35.8

2648.1

2859.5

-211.4

824.4

686.9

137.5

2007Q3

1905.5

1900.7

4.8

2664.9

2909.2

-244.3

622.3

662.9

-40.6

2007Q4

1918.4

1940.7

-22.3

2679.2

2915.6

-236.4

606.2

713.0

-106.8
-205.9

2008Q1

1922.9

1975.3

-52.4

2672.5

3003.2

-330.7

539.8

745.7

2008Q2

1955.4

2022.3

-66.9

2488.4

3128.4

-640.0

787.9

761.0

26.9

.

2050.0

.

3139.6

.

590.0

758.9

-169.0

2008Q3

.

Research Division

16

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
10/30/08

National Economic Trends

Federal Debt

Federal Surplus (+) / Deficit (-)

Percent of GDP

Percent of GDP

70

4

Total

60

2
0

50

NIPA

-2
40

Held by Public

-4

30

Unified
Budget

-6

20

-8
84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

NIPA: Net government saving.

Change in Federal Debt

Federal Surplus (+) / Deficit (-), Unified Basis

Percent of GDP

Billions of dollars, fiscal years

8

750

6

500

4

250

Total

2

0

0

-250

Excl. interest
payments

Total
Held by Public
-500

-2

-750

-4
84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

Federal Government Debt
Billions of dollars, end of month or fiscal year
Excludes Agency-issued debt
Held by Public
Federal
Total
Reserve Banks

Held by Private Investors
Foreign and
Total
International

Total
Public Debt

Held by
Agencies
and Trusts

2005

7932.7

3331.1

4601.6

736.4

3864.9

1930.6

2006

8507.0

3663.8

4843.2

768.9

4074.2

2027.3

2007

9007.7

3958.4

5049.2

779.6

4269.7

2237.2

March

7776.9

3204.5

4572.4

717.3

3855.4

1956.3

June

7836.5

3308.9

4527.6

724.7

3803.0

1879.6

September

7932.7

3331.1

4601.6

736.4

3864.9

1930.6

December

8170.4

3455.8

4714.6

744.2

3970.6

2036.0

March

8371.2

3498.4

4872.8

758.5

4114.0

2084.5

June

8420.0

3622.6

4797.5

766.4

4030.8

1979.8

September

8507.0

3663.8

4843.2

768.9

4074.2

2027.3

December

8680.2

3779.0

4901.2

778.9

4122.1

2105.0

March

8849.7

3795.4

5054.3

780.9

4273.1

2196.7

June

8867.7

3924.7

4943.0

790.5

4152.6

2193.9

September

9007.7

3958.4

5049.2

779.6

4269.7

2237.2

December

9229.2

4092.9

5136.3

740.6

4395.7

2355.1

March

9437.6

4103.6

5334.0

591.2

4742.9

2515.6

June

9492.0

4207.0

5285.0

478.8

4806.2

2648.0

2005

2006

2007

2008

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

17

updated through
11/03/08

National Economic Trends
Current Account, Trade and Investment Income Balances
Billions of dollars, quarterly rate

Percent of GDP
6

40

Investment Income (left scale)

20

4

0

2

-20

0

-40

-2

Current Account
(right scale)

-60
-80

-4
-6

Goods and Services
(left scale)

-100

-8

-120

-10

-140

-12

-160

-14

-180

-16

-200

-18

-220

-20

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

Exchange Rates

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Yen/US$
100 x (Ecu or Euro/US$)

Index, March 1973 = 100
160

375

140

300

120

225

Major Currency Index
(left scale)

Yen
(right scale)
100

150

Euro
Ecu (right scale)
(right scale)

80

75

60

0

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

Goods Export Shares, 2007

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Goods Import Shares, 2007

UK
4.37%

Mexico
10.71%

Mexico
11.85%

All Other
26.76%

China
16.33%

UK
2.89%

China
5.68%
Japan
7.39%

Japan
5.46%
Germany
4.32%

All Other
27.24%

Germany
4.79%

France
2.39%

Other OECD
17.50%

Canada
21.67%

Canada
16.11%

France
2.11%
Other OECD
12.43%

Research Division

18

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
10/10/08

National Economic Trends

Trade Balance

Goods Trade

Billions of dollars

Percent change from year ago
25

0
-12

20

-24

Exports
15

Goods and Services

-36
-48

10

-60
5
-72

Imports

Goods
-84

0
16802

2006

2007

17167

17532

2008

17898

16802

2006

17167

Current Account Balance

Services Trade

Billions of dollars

Percent change from year ago

0

2007

17532

2008

17898

25

-40

20

Exports

-80
15
-120
10
-160

Imports

5

-200
-240

0
16802

2006

2007

17167

17532

2008

17898

16802

2006

17167

2007

17532

2008

17898

Real GDP Growth of Major Trading Partners
Compounded annual rates of change

United Kingdom

Germany

6

9

4

6

2

3

0

0
-3

-2
06

2006

07

2007

08

2008

09

06

2006

07

Canada

2007

08

2008

09

08

2008

09

08

2008

09

France

6

6

4

4

2

2

0

0

-2

-2
06

2006

07

2007

08

2008

09

06

2006

07

Japan

2007

Mexico

6

12

4

8

2

4

0

0

-2
-4

-4
06

2006

07

2007

08

2008

09

06

2006

07

2007

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

19

updated through
10/16/08

National Economic Trends
Output per Hour and Capacity Utilization, Manufacturing
Percent change from year ago

Percent

15

90

Utilization Rate (level)
(right scale)
10

80

5

70

Output/Hour
(left scale)

0

60

-5

50

83

84

85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
*Data from 1987 to the present are on a NAICS basis; data prior to 1987 are on an SIC basis and are not strictly comparable (see End Note).

07

08

08

09

Nonfarm Compensation per Hour
Percent change from year ago
15

10

Nominal
5

Real

0

-5
83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Output per Hour, Nonfarm Business and Nonfinancial Corporations
Percent change from year ago
9

6

Nonfinancial Corporations
3

Nonfarm Business Sector
0

-3
83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Research Division

20

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
10/30/08

National Economic Trends

Nonfarm Output per Hour

Manufacturing Output per Hour

Compounded annual rates of change

Compounded annual rates of change

9

9

6

6

3

3

0

0

-3

-3

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

2006

16802

2007

17167

2008

17532

17898

Selected Component Shares of National Income
Percent

Percent
75

15
13

73

Corporate Profits
(left scale)

71

11

Proprietors' Income
(left scale)

9

69
67

7

65

5

Compensation
(right scale)

3

63
61

1

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Corporate Profits
Percent of GDP
14
12

Profits (Before Tax)
10
8
6

Profits (After Tax)
4
2
0
83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

87

88

88

89

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

96

97

97

98

98

99

99

00

00

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

05

05

06

06

07

07

08

08

09

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

21

updated through
10/30/08

National Economic Trends
Nominal GDP
Billions
of $

2004.
2005.

11685.9

2006.
2007.

13178.4

Real GDP

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Billions
of 2000 $

.

6.6

10675.757

.

6.3

10989.508

.

6.1

11294.816

13807.5

.

4.8

2005 1

12155.4

7.1

.

2

12297.5

.

3

12538.2

.

4

Final Sales

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Billions
of 2000 $

.

3.6

10619.790

.

2.9

10947.255

.

2.8

11249.341

11523.944

.

2.0

6.6

10875.827

3.0

4.8

5.9

10946.117

8.1

6.4

11049.980

12696.4

5.1

6.3

2006 1

12959.6

8.6

.

2

13134.1

5.5

.

3

13249.6

.

4

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Change in
Private Inventories
Billions of 2000 $
Last qtr
Year/Year ago

.

3.3

.

54.268

.

3.1

.

38.946

.

2.8

.

42.301

11523.416

.

2.4

.

-2.480

3.2

10799.286

2.3

2.8

74.596

64.179

2.6

2.9

10925.879

4.8

3.4

16.724

52.139

3.8

3.0

11035.489

4.1

3.5

11.001

39.875

11086.107

1.3

2.7

11028.364

-0.3

2.7

53.464

38.946

6.6

11217.261

4.8

3.1

11167.646

5.1

3.4

45.924

31.778

6.8

11291.674

2.7

3.2

11232.065

2.3

2.8

56.922

41.828

3.6

5.7

11314.057

0.8

2.4

11257.833

0.9

2.0

53.270

52.395

13370.1

3.7

5.3

11356.368

1.5

2.4

11339.723

2.9

2.8

13.086

42.301

2007 1

13510.9

4.3

4.3

11357.840

0.1

1.3

11370.469

1.1

1.8

-15.044

27.059

.

2

13737.5

6.9

4.6

11491.351

4.8

1.8

11490.523

4.3

2.3

-2.821

12.123

.

3

13950.6

6.4

5.3

11625.746

4.8

2.8

11605.013

4.0

3.1

16.001

2.806

.

4

14031.2

2.3

4.9

11620.739

-0.2

2.3

11627.950

0.8

2.5

-8.058

-2.481

12421.9

2008 1

14150.8

3.5

4.7

11645.968

0.9

2.5

11653.718

0.9

2.5

-10.182

-1.265

.

2

14294.5

4.1

4.1

11727.351

2.8

2.1

11778.847

4.4

2.5

-50.550

-13.197

.

3

14429.2

3.8

3.4

11719.988

-0.3

0.8

11755.227

-0.8

1.3

-38.480

-26.818

Consumption
Billions
of 2000 $

Durables Consumption

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Billions
of 2000 $

Private Fixed Investment

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Billions
of 2000 $

Nonresidential
Fixed Investment

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Billions
of 2000 $

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

2004.
2005.

7561.380

.

3.6

1084.786

.

6.3

1712.757

.

7.3

1144.264

.

5.8

7791.732

.

3.0

1134.384

.

4.6

1829.815

.

6.8

1226.160

.

7.2

2006.
2007.

8028.958

.

3.0

1185.122

.

4.5

1865.493

.

1.9

1318.159

.

7.5

.

2.8

1242.395

.

4.8

1808.543

.

-3.1

1382.929

.

4.9

2005 1

7697.515

1.7

3.0

1111.627

0.6

4.3

1790.510

5.3

8.7

1200.397

3.7

9.2

.

2

7766.392

3.6

3.3

1143.717

12.1

6.8

1823.502

7.6

7.3

1218.952

6.3

8.1

.

3

7838.099

3.7

3.3

1158.894

5.4

6.2

1847.243

5.3

6.4

1237.089

6.1

6.6

.

4

7864.922

1.4

2.6

1123.291

-11.7

1.2

1857.972

2.3

5.1

1248.226

3.6

4.9

2006 1

7947.412

4.3

3.2

1173.061

18.9

5.5

1895.228

8.3

5.8

1295.218

15.9

7.9

.

2

8002.135

2.8

3.0

1178.310

1.8

3.0

1883.072

-2.5

3.3

1315.436

6.4

7.9

.

3

8046.346

2.2

2.7

1188.386

3.5

2.5

1859.953

-4.8

0.7

1332.661

5.3

7.7

.

4

8119.940

3.7

3.2

1200.722

4.2

6.9

1823.721

-7.6

-1.8

1329.322

-1.0

6.5

2007 1

8197.173

3.9

3.1

1227.322

9.2

4.6

1807.821

-3.4

-4.6

1340.423

3.4

3.5

8252.773

.

2

8237.272

2.0

2.9

1242.274

5.0

5.4

1821.269

3.0

-3.3

1373.787

10.3

4.4

.

3

8278.517

2.0

2.9

1249.405

2.3

5.1

1816.954

-0.9

-2.3

1402.876

8.7

5.3

.

4

8298.196

1.0

2.2

1250.580

0.4

4.2

1788.160

-6.2

-1.9

1414.655

3.4

6.4

2008 1

8316.055

0.9

1.5

1237.008

-4.3

0.8

1762.404

-5.6

-2.5

1423.095

2.4

6.2

.

2

8341.328

1.2

1.3

1228.280

-2.8

-1.1

1754.899

-1.7

-3.6

1431.818

2.5

4.2

.

3

8275.215

-3.1

-0.0

1182.532

-14.1

-5.4

1729.815

-5.6

-4.8

1428.343

-1.0

1.8

Research Division

22

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
10/31/08

National Economic Trends

GDP Chain Price Index
Index

2004.
2005.

109.462

2006.
2007.

116.676

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Employment Cost Index
Index

ECI: Wages

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Index

.

3.8

96.8
99.2

ECI: Benefits

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Index

.

2.9

96.2

.

3.3

99.2

.

3.1

.

3.2

102.1

.

2.9

102.1

119.819

.

2.7

105.2

.

3.1

2005 1

111.778

4.0

3.3

98.2

3.8

.

2

112.357

2.1

2.9

98.8

.

3

113.487

4.1

3.4

99.5

.

4

114.536

3.7

3.5

100.2

2006 1

115.536

3.5

3.4

100.8

2.4

2.6

100.8

2.8

2.5

100.8

2.0

2.9

.

2

116.317

2.7

3.5

101.6

3.2

2.8

101.6

3.2

2.8

101.6

3.2

2.8

.

3

117.109

2.8

3.2

102.5

3.6

3.0

102.5

3.6

3.1

102.5

3.6

2.8

.

4

117.742

2.2

2.8

103.3

3.2

3.1

103.3

3.2

3.2

103.4

3.6

3.1

2007 1

118.935

4.1

2.9

104.0

2.7

3.2

104.3

3.9

3.5

103.1

-1.2

2.3

.

2

119.531

2.0

2.8

104.8

3.1

3.1

105.1

3.1

3.4

104.2

4.3

2.6

.

3

119.984

1.5

2.5

105.6

3.1

3.0

105.9

3.1

3.3

105.0

3.1

2.4

.

4

120.826

2.8

2.6

106.5

3.5

3.1

106.7

3.1

3.3

105.8

3.1

2.3

2008 1

121.613

2.6

2.3

107.3

3.0

3.2

107.6

3.4

3.2

106.4

2.3

3.2

.

2

121.951

1.1

2.0

107.9

2.3

3.0

108.4

3.0

3.1

106.9

1.9

2.6

.

3

123.203

4.2

2.7

108.6

2.6

2.8

109.0

2.2

2.9

107.5

2.3

2.4

113.039

Exports
Billions
of 2000 $

2004. 1126.134
2005. 1205.274

.

2.7

94.8

.

6.8

.

2.5

99.2

.

4.6

.

2.9

102.1

.

2.9

105.5

.

3.4

104.5

.

2.4

3.5

98.3

2.5

2.6

98.0

6.4

5.5

2.5

3.1

98.8

2.1

2.5

98.8

3.3

4.7

2.9

2.9

99.4

2.5

2.3

99.7

3.7

4.5

2.8

3.0

100.1

2.8

2.5

100.3

2.4

3.9

Nonfarm
Output per Hour

Imports

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Billions
of 2000 $

.

9.7

1719.939

Nonfarm
Compensation per Hour

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Index

Percent change
Year
Annual
rate
ago

Percent change
Year
Annual
rate
ago

.

11.3

131.571

.

2.8

155.899

.

3.6

.

5.9

133.887

.

1.8

162.179

.

4.0

135.180

168.367

Index

.

7.0

1821.900

2006. 1314.848
2007. 1425.912

.

9.1

1930.515

.

6.0

.

1.0

.

3.8

.

8.4

1972.412

.

2.2

137.081

.

1.4

175.290

.

4.1

2005 1 1177.922

8.1

6.9

1801.652

3.2

9.1

133.301

3.2

2.3

160.015

2.8

4.6

.

2 1203.137

8.8

7.5

1804.427

0.6

5.5

133.394

0.3

1.3

160.775

1.9

3.9

.

3 1204.299

0.4

6.8

1807.939

0.8

4.5

134.616

3.7

1.9

163.199

6.2

4.0

.

4 1235.740

10.9

7.0

1873.551

15.3

4.8

134.232

-1.1

1.5

164.677

3.7

3.6

2006 1 1284.261

16.7

9.0

1920.229

10.3

6.6

135.071

2.5

1.3

166.793

5.2

4.2

.

2 1301.418

5.5

8.2

1920.864

0.1

6.5

135.672

1.8

1.7

167.081

0.7

3.9

.

3 1312.622

3.5

9.0

1935.666

3.1

7.1

134.957

-2.1

0.3

167.887

1.9

2.9

.

4 1361.067

15.6

10.1

1945.317

2.0

3.8

135.021

0.2

0.6

171.676

9.3

4.3

2007 1 1363.150

0.6

6.1

1981.783

7.7

3.2

135.013

-0.0

-0.0

173.744

4.9

4.2

.

2 1392.190

8.8

7.0

1963.366

-3.7

2.2

136.384

4.1

0.5

174.098

0.8

4.2

.

3 1466.244

23.0

11.7

1978.005

3.0

2.2

138.320

5.8

2.5

175.505

3.3

4.5

.

4 1482.053

4.4

8.9

1966.509

-2.3

1.1

138.606

0.8

2.7

177.806

5.3

3.6

2008 1 1500.591

5.1

10.1

1962.628

-0.8

-1.0

139.511

2.6

3.3

179.486

3.8

3.3

.

2 1544.749

12.3

11.0

1926.000

-7.3

-1.9

140.983

4.3

3.4

181.131

3.7

4.0

.

3 1566.960

5.9

6.9

1916.938

-1.9

-3.1

.

.

.

.

.

.

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

23

updated through
10/03/08

National Economic Trends
Household Survey Employment
Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Thousands

Change

2003 .
2004 .

137729

1248

139242

1512

2005 .
2006 .

141716

2474

144421

2706

2007 .

146049

1628

.

1

143356

704

2.0

2.1

2

144083

727

2.0

1.8

2006
.

Nonfarm Payroll Employment

Nonfarm Aggregate Hours

Percent change
Annual
Year
rate
ago

Percent change
Monthly Annual
Year
rate
rate
ago

Thousands

Change

.

0.9

129996

-344

.

1.1

131419

1423

.

1.8

133695

2276

.

1.9

136092

2397

1.1

137618

1527

135383

722

135840

457

Index

.

-0.3

98.6

.

.

.

1.1

100.2

.

.

1.6

.

1.7

102.8

.

.

2.6

.

1.8

105.7

.

.

2.9

.

1.1

107.2

.

.

1.4

2.2

2.1

104.9

0.9

3.8

3.2

1.4

1.9

105.6

0.7

2.7

3.1

-1.4

.

3

144604

521

1.5

1.6

136354

514

1.5

1.7

106.0

0.4

1.7

2.8

.

4

145642

1038

2.9

2.1

136789

434

1.3

1.6

106.4

0.3

1.4

2.4
1.6

2007

1

145983

340

0.9

1.8

137184

395

1.2

1.3

106.6

0.2

0.8

.

2

145904

-78

-0.2

1.3

137500

316

0.9

1.2

107.2

0.5

2.1

1.5

.

3

146019

115

0.3

1.0

137758

259

0.8

1.0

107.5

0.3

1.1

1.4

.

4

146291

272

0.7

0.4

138031

272

0.8

0.9

107.7

0.2

1.0

1.3

2008

1

146070

-221

-0.6

0.1

137917

-113

-0.3

0.5

107.4

-0.3

-1.1

0.8

.

2

146089

19

0.1

0.1

137699

-218

-0.6

0.1

107.2

-0.2

-0.9

0.0

.

3

145517

-572

-1.6

-0.3

137448

-251

-0.7

-0.2

106.7

-0.5

-2.0

-0.7

Sep

144846

175

1.5

1.7

136528

165

1.5

1.7

105.9

-0.3

-3.3

2.3

.

Oct

145395

549

4.6

2.0

136601

73

0.6

1.7

106.3

0.4

4.6

2.6

.

Nov

145583

188

1.6

2.1

136783

182

1.6

1.5

106.2

-0.1

-1.1

2.1

.

Dec

145949

366

3.1

2.2

136982

199

1.8

1.6

106.7

0.5

5.8

2.4

2007

Jan

145915

-34

-0.3

2.0

137108

126

1.1

1.5

106.5

-0.2

-2.2

1.6

.

Feb

145888

-27

-0.2

1.8

137133

25

0.2

1.3

106.2

-0.3

-3.3

1.3

.

Mar

146145

257

2.1

1.8

137310

177

1.6

1.2

107.1

0.8

10.7

1.9

.

Apr

145713

-432

-3.5

1.3

137356

46

0.4

1.2

106.8

-0.3

-3.3

1.1

.

May

145913

200

1.7

1.3

137518

162

1.4

1.3

107.1

0.3

3.4

1.6

.

Jun

146087

174

1.4

1.2

137625

107

0.9

1.3

107.6

0.5

5.7

1.7

.

146045

-42

-0.3

1.2

137682

57

0.5

1.1

107.4

-0.2

-2.2

1.3

.

Jul
Aug

145753

-292

-2.4

0.7

137756

74

0.6

1.0

107.4

0.0

0.0

1.1

.

Sep

146260

507

4.3

1.0

137837

81

0.7

1.0

107.6

0.2

2.3

1.6
1.3

2006

.

Oct

146016

-244

-2.0

0.4

137977

140

1.2

1.0

107.7

0.1

1.1

.

Nov

146647

631

5.3

0.7

138037

60

0.5

0.9

107.7

0.0

0.0

1.4

.

Dec

146211

-436

-3.5

0.2

138078

41

0.4

0.8

107.8

0.1

1.1

1.0
0.8

2008

Jan

146248

37

0.3

0.2

138002

-76

-0.7

0.7

107.4

-0.4

-4.4

.

Feb

145993

-255

-2.1

0.1

137919

-83

-0.7

0.6

107.3

-0.1

-1.1

1.0

.

Mar

145969

-24

-0.2

-0.1

137831

-88

-0.8

0.4

107.6

0.3

3.4

0.5

.

Apr

146331

362

3.0

0.4

137764

-67

-0.6

0.3

107.5

-0.1

-1.1

0.7

.

May

146046

-285

-2.3

0.1

137717

-47

-0.4

0.1

107.1

-0.4

-4.4

0.0

.

Jun

145891

-155

-1.3

-0.1

137617

-100

-0.9

-0.0

107.0

-0.1

-1.1

-0.6

.

145819

-72

-0.6

-0.2

137550

-67

-0.6

-0.1

106.9

-0.1

-1.1

-0.5

.

Jul
Aug

145477

-342

-2.8

-0.2

137477

-73

-0.6

-0.2

106.8

-0.1

-1.1

-0.6

.

Sep

145255

-222

-1.8

-0.7

137318

-159

-1.4

-0.4

106.3

-0.5

-5.5

-1.2
Research Division

24

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

updated through
11/03/08

National Economic Trends
Retail and Food Services Sales

Unempl.
Rate

Billions
of dollars

2003 .
2004 .

6.0

3614.120

5.5

3832.862

2005 .
2006 .

5.1

4078.592

4.6

4313.695

2007 .

4.6

4488.464

2006

1

Percent change
Monthly/ Annual
Year
quarterly
rate
ago

Industrial Production
Percent change
Monthly/ Annual
Year
quarterly
rate
ago

Index

.

4.2

101.2448

.

6.1

103.7644

.

.

6.4

107.2099

.

.

5.8

109.5711

.

.
.

.

.

4.1

111.3932

Treasury
Yields
(Percent)
3-mo
10-yr

.

1.2

1.01

.

2.5

1.37

4.27

.

.

3.3

3.15

4.29

.

.

2.2

4.73

4.79

.

1.7

4.35

4.63

.
.

4.02

4.7

1070.109

3.1

13.0

7.6

108.8526

0.8

3.2

2.1

4.39

4.57

0.5

109.5473

0.6

2.6

5.07

.

2

4.7

1075.965

2.2

6.0

2.2

4.70

.

3

4.6

1082.149

0.6

2.3

5.0

110.0689

0.5

1.9

2.8

4.91

4.90

.

4

4.4

1085.472

0.3

1.2

4.6

109.8155

-0.2

-0.9

1.7

4.90

4.63

2007

1

4.5

1105.203

1.8

7.5

3.3

110.2336

0.4

1.5

1.3

4.98

4.68

.

2

4.5

1119.377

1.3

5.2

4.0

111.0922

0.8

3.2

1.4

4.74

4.85

.

3

4.7

1127.893

0.8

3.1

4.2

112.0778

0.9

3.6

1.8

4.30

4.73

.

4

4.8

1135.991

0.7

2.9

4.7

112.1693

0.1

0.3

2.1

3.39

4.26

2008

1

4.9

1138.145

0.2

0.8

3.0

112.2848

0.1

0.4

1.9

2.04

3.66

.

2

5.3

1148.626

0.9

3.7

2.6

111.3970

-0.8

-3.1

0.3

1.63

3.89

.

3

6.0

1136.927

-1.0

-4.0

0.8

109.6831

-1.5

-6.0

-2.1

1.49

3.86

2006

Oct

4.4

359.706

0.1

1.6

4.5

109.7437

-0.1

-0.9

2.5

4.92

4.73

.

Nov

4.5

360.428

0.2

2.4

4.0

109.5274

-0.2

-2.3

1.2

4.94

4.60

.

Dec

4.4

365.338

1.4

17.6

5.3

110.1754

0.6

7.3

1.3

4.85

4.56
4.76

2007

Jan

4.6

365.610

0.1

0.9

2.1

109.7791

-0.4

-4.2

0.9

4.98

.

Feb

4.5

368.271

0.7

9.1

3.6

110.5181

0.7

8.4

1.6

5.03

4.72

.

Mar

4.4

371.322

0.8

10.4

4.1

110.4036

-0.1

-1.2

1.3

4.94

4.56

.

Apr

4.5

370.568

-0.2

-2.4

3.1

110.9530

0.5

6.1

1.4

4.87

4.69

.

May

4.5

376.206

1.5

19.9

5.0

110.9686

0.0

0.2

1.5

4.73

4.75

.

Jun

4.6

372.603

-1.0

-10.9

4.0

111.3551

0.3

4.3

1.4

4.61

5.10

.

4.7

374.270

0.4

5.5

3.7

112.0024

0.6

7.2

1.7

4.82

5.00

.

Jul
Aug

4.7

374.253

-0.0

-0.1

3.4

111.9712

-0.0

-0.3

1.6

4.20

4.67

.

Sep

4.7

379.370

1.4

17.7

5.6

112.2598

0.3

3.1

2.2

3.89

4.52

.

Oct

4.8

376.802

-0.7

-7.8

4.8

111.8262

-0.4

-4.5

1.9

3.90

4.53

.

Nov

4.7

381.280

1.2

15.2

5.8

112.2962

0.4

5.2

2.5

3.27

4.15

.

Dec

5.0

377.909

-0.9

-10.1

3.4

112.3855

0.1

1.0

2.0

3.00

4.10

2008

Jan

4.9

380.019

0.6

6.9

3.9

112.5704

0.2

2.0

2.5

2.75

3.74

.

Feb

4.8

378.106

-0.5

-5.9

2.7

112.2604

-0.3

-3.3

1.6

2.12

3.74

.

Mar

5.1

380.020

0.5

6.2

2.3

112.0235

-0.2

-2.5

1.5

1.26

3.51

.

Apr

5.0

380.788

0.2

2.5

2.8

111.4410

-0.5

-6.1

0.4

1.29

3.68

.

May

5.5

383.769

0.8

9.8

2.0

111.2978

-0.1

-1.5

0.3

1.73

3.88

.

Jun

5.5

384.069

0.1

0.9

3.1

111.4523

0.1

1.7

0.1

1.86

4.10

.

5.7

381.578

-0.6

-7.5

2.0

111.4349

-0.0

-0.2

-0.5

1.63

4.01

.

Jul
Aug

6.1

379.876

-0.4

-5.2

1.5

110.3603

-1.0

-11.0

-1.4

1.72

3.89

.

Sep

6.1

375.473

-1.2

-13.1

-1.0

107.2540

-2.8

-29.0

-4.5

1.13

3.69

.

Oct

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

0.67

3.81

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

25

updated through
10/16/08

National Economic Trends
Consumer Price Index
less Food and Energy

Consumer Price Index
Index

2003 .
2004 .
2005 .
2006 .
2007 .
2006

184.000
188.908
195.283

Monthly/
quarterly

Percent change
Annual Year
rate
ago

Year
to date

Index

.

2.3

.

193.225

.

.

2.7

.

196.633

.

.

3.4

.

200.875

.

Monthly/
quarterly

Percent change
Annual Year
rate
ago

Producer Price Index
Finished Goods
Year
to date

Index

.

1.5

.

143.3

.

.

1.8

.

148.5

.

.

2.2

.

155.7

.

160.3

.

166.6

.

201.583

.

.

3.2

.

205.933

.

.

2.5

207.345

.

.

2.9

.

210.731

.

.

2.3

Percent change
Monthly/ Annual Year
quarterly
rate
ago

.

3.2

.

.

3.6

.

.

4.9

.

.

3.0

.

.

3.9

.

1

199.433

0.4

1.8

3.7

1.8

203.667

0.6

2.5

2.1

2.5

159.6

0.1

0.6

4.5

.

2

201.267

0.9

3.7

3.9

2.7

205.400

0.9

3.4

2.5

3.0

160.8

0.8

3.0

4.3

.

3

203.200

1.0

3.9

3.3

3.1

206.867

0.7

2.9

2.8

2.9

161.1

0.2

0.8

2.8

.

4

202.433

-0.4

-1.5

1.9

1.9

207.800

0.5

1.8

2.7

2.7

159.8

-0.8

-3.3

0.3

2007

1

204.269

0.9

3.7

2.4

3.7

208.975

0.6

2.3

2.6

2.3

162.7

1.9

7.6

2.0

.

2

206.566

1.1

4.6

2.6

4.1

210.025

0.5

2.0

2.3

2.2

166.2

2.1

8.8

3.4

.

3

207.989

0.7

2.8

2.4

3.7

211.309

0.6

2.5

2.1

2.3

166.9

0.4

1.6

3.6

.

4

210.555

1.2

5.0

4.0

4.0

212.615

0.6

2.5

2.3

2.3

170.5

2.2

9.1

6.7

2008

1

212.796

1.1

4.3

4.2

4.3

213.931

0.6

2.5

2.4

2.5

174.3

2.2

9.2

7.1

.

2

215.426

1.2

5.0

4.3

4.7

214.919

0.5

1.9

2.3

2.2

178.8

2.6

10.6

7.6

.

3

218.958

1.6

6.7

5.3

5.4

216.612

0.8

3.2

2.5

2.5

182.5

2.1

8.6

9.4

Sep

202.900

-0.4

-5.2

2.1

3.2

207.300

0.2

2.3

2.9

3.0

160.0

-1.4

-15.7

0.9

.

Oct

201.900

-0.5

-5.8

1.4

2.2

207.600

0.1

1.8

2.8

2.8

158.1

-1.2

-13.4

-1.2

.

Nov

202.100

0.1

1.2

1.9

2.1

207.700

0.0

0.6

2.6

2.6

160.1

1.3

16.3

0.9

.

Dec

203.300

0.6

7.4

2.6

2.6

208.100

0.2

2.3

2.6

2.6

161.1

0.6

7.8

1.1

2007

Jan

203.552

0.1

1.5

2.1

1.5

208.608

0.2

3.0

2.7

3.0

160.9

-0.1

-1.5

0.2

.

Feb

204.158

0.3

3.6

2.4

2.6

209.085

0.2

2.8

2.7

2.9

162.9

1.2

16.0

2.6

.

Mar

205.098

0.5

5.7

2.8

3.6

209.233

0.1

0.9

2.5

2.2

164.4

0.9

11.6

3.2

.

Apr

205.751

0.3

3.9

2.6

3.7

209.650

0.2

2.4

2.4

2.3

165.5

0.7

8.3

3.2

.

May

206.700

0.5

5.7

2.7

4.1

209.978

0.2

1.9

2.2

2.2

166.5

0.6

7.5

3.7

.

Jun

207.246

0.3

3.2

2.6

3.9

210.446

0.2

2.7

2.2

2.3

166.6

0.1

0.7

3.2

.

207.708

0.2

2.7

2.4

3.7

210.926

0.2

2.8

2.2

2.3

167.5

0.5

6.7

4.0

.

Jul
Aug

207.749

0.0

0.2

1.9

3.3

211.265

0.2

1.9

2.1

2.3

166.1

-0.8

-9.6

2.3

.

Sep

208.509

0.4

4.5

2.8

3.4

211.737

0.2

2.7

2.1

2.3

167.0

0.5

6.7

4.4
6.2

2006

.

Oct

209.055

0.3

3.2

3.5

3.4

212.115

0.2

2.2

2.2

2.3

167.9

0.5

6.7

.

Nov

210.930

0.9

11.3

4.4

4.1

212.626

0.2

2.9

2.4

2.4

172.3

2.6

36.4

7.6

.

Dec

211.680

0.4

4.4

4.1

4.1

213.103

0.2

2.7

2.4

2.4

171.4

-0.5

-6.1

6.4
7.8

2008

Jan

212.516

0.4

4.8

4.4

4.8

213.765

0.3

3.8

2.5

3.8

173.4

1.2

14.9

.

Feb

212.571

0.0

0.3

4.1

2.6

213.851

0.0

0.5

2.3

2.1

174.0

0.3

4.2

6.8

.

Mar

213.301

0.3

4.2

4.0

3.1

214.176

0.2

1.8

2.4

2.0

175.6

0.9

11.6

6.8

.

Apr

213.743

0.2

2.5

3.9

3.0

214.398

0.1

1.3

2.3

1.8

176.1

0.3

3.5

6.4

.

May

215.132

0.6

8.1

4.1

4.0

214.832

0.2

2.5

2.3

2.0

178.6

1.4

18.4

7.3

.

Jun

217.403

1.1

13.4

4.9

5.5

215.526

0.3

3.9

2.4

2.3

181.7

1.7

22.9

9.1

.

219.181

0.8

10.3

5.5

6.2

216.230

0.3

4.0

2.5

2.5

183.9

1.2

15.5

9.8

.

Jul
Aug

218.880

-0.1

-1.6

5.4

5.1

216.650

0.2

2.4

2.5

2.5

182.2

-0.9

-10.5

9.7

.

Sep

218.813

-0.0

-0.4

4.9

4.5

216.956

0.1

1.7

2.5

2.4

181.5

-0.4

-4.5

8.7

Research Division

26

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

National Economic Trends

Notes
Pages 4, 5: Final Sales is gross domestic product (GDP) minus change in
private inventories. Advance, Preliminary, and Final GDP Growth Rates
are released during the first, second, and third months of the following quarter.
Changes result from incorporation of more complete information. Real GDP
is measured in 2000 dollars. The ISM (formerly Purchasing Managers’) Index
is a weighted average of diffusion indexes for new orders, production, supplier
deliveries, inventories, and employment. Aggregate and Average Weekly
Hours are paid hours of production and nonsupervisory employees. The
Inventory-Sales Ratio uses nominal (current-dollar) inventory and sales data.
Page 6: For information on how to calculate the Contribution of a component
to the overall GDP growth rate, see the October 1999 issue of the Survey of
Current Business, p. 16. The sign is changed for Imports.
Page 7: Ten-year Treasury Yields are adjusted to constant maturity; threemonth yields are secondary market averages. All rates used in the yield curves
are adjusted to constant maturity. The 30-year constant maturity series was
discontinued by the Treasury Department as of Feb. 18, 2002. Standard and
Poor’s 500 Index with Reinvested Dividends shows the total return: capital
gains plus dividends.
Pages 8, 9: Oil (West Texas intermediate) and Natural Gas (Henry Hub) spot
and futures prices are listed in the Wall Street Journal. Spot prices are monthly
averages of daily prices; futures prices are usually taken from the last trading
day of the month. Consumer Price Index is for all urban consumers. The
Consumption Chain Price Index is the index associated with the personal
consumption expenditures component of GDP. The Employment Cost Index
(ECI) covers private nonfarm employers. ECI Compensation refers to a fixed
sample of jobs, while Compensation per Hour covers all workers in the
nonfarm business sector in a given quarter. In both cases, compensation is
wages and salaries plus benefits.
Pages 10, 11: Effective with the January 2008 Employment Situation, the
establishment survey data for employment, hours, and earnings have been
converted from the 2002 NAICS system to the 2007 NAICS system. For more
information see http://www.bls.gov/ces/. Nonfarm Payroll Employment is
counted in a survey of about 400,000 establishments (Current Employment
Statistics). It excludes self-employed individuals and workers in private households, but double-counts individuals with more than one job. The Household
Survey (Current Population Survey) of about 60,000 households provides
estimates of civilian employment, unemployment rate, labor force participation
rate, and employment-population ratio. Population is civilian, noninstitutional,
16 years and over. The 90 percent confidence intervals for the unemployment
rate (± 0.2 percentage points) and change in household survey employment
(± 430,000) measure uncertainty due to sample size. Because the household
survey was changed in January 1994, data prior to this date are not strictly
comparable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced several revisions to
the Household Survey on Feb. 7, 2003, with the release of the January 2003
data. For more information, see <www.bls.gov/cps/>. The Job Openings rate
is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a
percent of total employment plus job openings.
Page 13: The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index shows changes in a
summary measure of consumers’ answers to five questions about their current
and expected financial situation, expectations about future economic conditions,
and attitudes about making large purchases. The survey is based on a representative sample of U.S. households.
Page 15: Gross Private Saving is the sum of personal saving, undistributed
corporate profits with IVA and CCAdj (see notes for pp. 18-19), and private
wage accruals less disbursements. Gross Government Saving is net government saving (surplus/deficit) plus consumption of fixed capital. Balance on
Current Account (NIPA) is net capital transfer payments to the rest of the
world plus net lending or net borrowing (international trade and income flows).

Research Division
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Pages 16, 17: Government Consumption and Investment is current expenditures on goods and services, including capital consumption (depreciation) and
gross investment, as reported in the NIPAs. The Unified Federal Budget
Surplus/Deficit differs from NIPA Basis in four main ways: (1) NIPA excludes
transactions involving existing assets; (2) NIPA outlays exclude government
investment and include consumption of government capital, while unified budget
outlays do the reverse; (3) NIPA accounts exclude Puerto Rico and U.S. territories; and (4) various timing issues are handled differently. Outlays and
Receipts are from the NIPAs, except as noted. Since 1977, the federal Fiscal
Year starts on October 1. Excluded agency debt was 0.6 percent of federal
debt at the end of fiscal 1997. Federal Debt Held by the Public includes
holdings of the Federal Reserve System and excludes holdings of the social
security and other federal trust funds. Federal grants in aid to state and local
governments appear in both state and local receipts and federal outlays.
Pages 18, 19: The Trade Balance (shown on a balance of payments basis) is
the difference between exports and imports of goods (merchandise) and services.
It is nearly identical in concept to the Net Exports component of GDP, but differs slightly in accounting details. The Investment Income Balance equals
income received from U.S.-owned assets in other countries minus income
paid on foreign-owned assets in the U.S. The investment income balance is
nearly identical in concept to the difference between gross national product
and gross domestic product, but differs in accounting details. The Current
Account Balance is the trade balance plus the balance on investment income
plus net unilateral transfers to the U.S. from other countries.
Pages 20, 21: Output per Hour (Y/H), Unit Labor Cost (C/Y), and
Compensation per Hour (C/H) are indexes which approximately obey the
following relationship: %(Y/H) + %(C/Y) = %(C/H) with %() meaning percent
changes. Unit labor cost is shown on page 9. Real Compensation per Hour
uses the CPI to adjust for the effects of inflation. Nonfarm business accounted
for about 77 percent of the value of GDP in 2000, while nonfinancial corporations accounted for about 54 percent. Inventory Valuation Adjustments (IVA)
remove the effect of changes in the value of existing inventories from corporate profits and proprietors’ income. (This change in value does not correspond
to current production and therefore is not part of GDP). Capital Consumption
Adjustments (CCAdj) increase profits and proprietors’ income by the difference between estimates of economic depreciation and depreciation allowed
by the tax code. Components of national income not shown are rental income
of persons and net interest.

Sources
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), U.S. Dept. of Commerce
National income and product accounts, international trade and investment
data (except by country), auto and light truck sales.
Census Bureau, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
Inventory-sales ratios, retail sales, capital goods orders, housing starts,
exports and imports by country.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Dept. of Labor
All employment-related data, employment cost index, consumer and
producer price indexes, unit labor cost, output per hour, compensation
per hour, multifactor productivity.
United States Department of Treasury
Unified budget receipts, outlays, deficit, debt.
Federal Reserve Board
Index of industrial production, treasury yields, exchange rates, capacity
utilization, household debt.
The Survey Research Center, The University of Michigan
Consumer sentiment index.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
GDP for major trading partners (not available on FRED).

27