Economic Business Meeting

Economics

Under the direction of chief economist Bart van Ark, the Economics Department produces in-depth, objective and global research, analysis, forecasts, and indicators.

From the Chief Economist

Bart van Ark

Recovery likely to experience pushback in early 2010
While the last two quarters of this rollercoaster year provide some relief as the recovery takes hold, 2009 will still be by far the worst year in terms of economic growth in the United States since World War II. ... more

Latest Forecast

The Economic Week

Last week’s Highlights: The weak recovery hinges on how weak consumer demand remains, and for how long. Two weeks ago, reports showed some softening in consumer attitudes. Last week’s report showed the unemployment rate rising abo...more

Economic Indicators

Economic Resources

U.S. Indicators	International
Consumer Confidence Index® 5.7 pts U.S. Leading Index 0.3% Help-Wanted Online 83,200 Employment Trends Index 0.7% CEO Confidence 8.0 pts	Australia 1.8% Euro Area 1.2% France 1.2% Germany 1.2% Japan 2.4% Korea 2.3% Mexico 1.1% Spain 0.3% U.K. 1.0% U.S. 0.3%

Total Economy Database
Annual GDP, population, employment, hours and productivity for 123 countries.

Business Cycle Indicators
The composite indexes are the key elements in an analytic system designed to signal changes in the business cycle.

Monthly calendar

Research Reports

The 2009 Institutional Investment Report
The Institutional Investment report, which is released annually in the fall, is the most comprehensive analysis of the asset growth and portfolio composition of institutional investors operating in the United States.

U.S. Salary Increase Budgets for 2010
Salary increase budgets were hit hard in 2009. The good news for 2010 — budgets are projected to be higher. The bad news — the forecasted increase, at 3 percent, is the lowest in 25 years.

More Economic Research