The hottest Economic Indicators Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Finance Topics
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 43 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 24
  1. In October, existing home sales saw a year-over-year increase, which is the first time this has happened since August 2021. This means more people are buying homes now compared to last year.
  2. The median price of homes rose by about 4.7% compared to the same time last year, showing that homes are becoming more expensive even though sales are still low.
  3. Active inventory of homes for sale went up by 25.9% year-over-year, especially in places like Florida and Texas. This increase could impact home prices in the coming months.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 23 implied HN points β€’ 17 Dec 24
  1. Existing home sales increased in November, reaching an annual rate of 4.09 million. This is a 3.3% increase from October and 4.6% higher than last November.
  2. The median price for existing single-family homes went up by about 5.3% compared to last year. This suggests a growing demand in the housing market.
  3. There is ongoing discussion about the 'neutral' interest rate, which affects how restrictive monetary policy is. Recent economic growth may lead to higher estimates of this rate among officials.
Erdmann Housing Tracker β€’ 42 implied HN points β€’ 19 Nov 24
  1. The author analyzed different housing data like Case-Shiller and rent inflation. It's interesting to see how these data points relate to each other.
  2. There are components in the Erdmann Housing Tracker that provide extra insights on the housing market. Comparing these with other measurements helps to understand trends better.
  3. The analysis is not meant for academic purposes, but it's a fun exploration of the data. It shows how digging into numbers can reveal patterns.
Spilled Coffee β€’ 40 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 24
  1. The stock market is doing really well right now, with many people feeling optimistic, but that can lead to risks if everyone thinks only good things will happen.
  2. Valuations for stocks are at historic highs, which means they might be overpriced and could face a correction soon.
  3. The rising cost of the national debt is a big concern that could impact the economy and market stability in the future.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 33 implied HN points β€’ 15 Nov 24
  1. Existing home sales increased in October, marking the first year-over-year gain since August 2021. This is a positive sign for the housing market.
  2. Sales were estimated to be at an annual rate of 3.97 million, which is a 3.4% increase from September. This shows a gradual recovery in home buying activity.
  3. The increase in home sales could indicate a shift in the market, possibly making it a better time for buyers and sellers to engage in real estate transactions.
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CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 23 implied HN points β€’ 02 Dec 24
  1. The Freddie Mac House Price Index went up 3.7% compared to last year, showing a steady increase in home prices.
  2. Florida has many cities experiencing large price declines, with 18 out of the top 35 cities affected.
  3. If more houses are available for sale and sales remain low, we might see a slowdown in home price growth early next year.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 38 implied HN points β€’ 30 Oct 24
  1. Serious delinquency rates for single-family homes slightly increased in September. This means a small rise in the number of homeowners who are late on their mortgage payments.
  2. Multi-family delinquency rates also went up, hitting levels not seen since 2011. This points to more challenges for those managing multiple rental units.
  3. Despite the increases, overall delinquency rates remain below pre-pandemic lows. This suggests that the housing market is still stronger than it was during the worst of the pandemic.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 23 implied HN points β€’ 21 Nov 24
  1. Existing-home sales rose to 3.96 million in October, marking a 3.4% increase from September and the first yearly rise since July 2021. This shows a positive trend in the housing market.
  2. Median home prices increased by 4.0% compared to last year, which suggests that despite more inventory, homes are still getting more expensive.
  3. Inventory of homes for sale is up 19.1% compared to last year, indicating more options for buyers, although the months of supply is higher than in pre-pandemic times.
Alex's Personal Blog β€’ 32 implied HN points β€’ 04 Nov 24
  1. This week has a packed economic calendar with important earnings reports coming from big companies like New York Times and Qualcomm.
  2. The U.S. elections are on Tuesday, which could distract from other economic updates but are still very important.
  3. Thursday is crucial as the Federal Reserve will announce their decision on interest rates, along with jobless claims data and several company earnings.
Concepts of Finance 🧠 β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 07 Sep 23
  1. GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product, and it adds up the value of everything produced in a country over a specific time, usually a year. A higher GDP means a country produces more goods and services.
  2. There are three main ways to calculate GDP: by production, income, or expenditure. The most common method is the expenditure approach, which measures total spending on goods and services.
  3. GDP has limitations since it doesn’t account for unpaid work or environmental factors. It also only measures cash transactions, so important activities that don't involve money are excluded.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 28 implied HN points β€’ 05 Nov 24
  1. In the second quarter of 2024, nearly 20% of new rental units were single-family homes. This shows a growing interest in single-family rentals.
  2. The number of single-family units built-for-rent has almost doubled since 2020, indicating a trend towards more single-family developments.
  3. While multi-family rental units saw a big drop, single-family units are becoming a bigger part of the rental market, signaling a shift in housing demand.
The Last Bear Standing β€’ 22 implied HN points β€’ 01 Nov 24
  1. Implied volatility has been rising even as stock prices remain strong. This means that while investors are confident, they are also anticipating potential future risks.
  2. The current divergence between high volatility expectations and low actual volatility is unusual. It's rare for stock prices to be high while at the same time expecting more volatility.
  3. There are concerns in the market about various factors like corporate earnings and macroeconomic issues. These worries might not be reflected in stock prices right now, but they're still influencing how investors are pricing risk.
Musings on Markets β€’ 379 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 23
  1. Country risk affects investments everywhere, not just in emerging markets. Every country has its own level of risk, which is important for investors to understand.
  2. Investors need to look beyond just company performance and consider how a country's situation influences their investments. Government actions and country stability matter a lot.
  3. Assessing country risk involves looking at different factors like political stability and economic conditions. Measures like sovereign ratings and CDS spreads help evaluate this risk.
The Parlour β€’ 17 implied HN points β€’ 11 Nov 24
  1. Companies can show strong or weak financial health based on key metrics like cash flow and profitability. This helps investors decide where to put their money.
  2. Insider trading activities can hint at stock movements. If insiders are buying, it might be a good sign, but heavy selling could be a warning.
  3. Using tools like search interest and news sentiment helps track how a company is viewed in the market. Positive buzz can mean good things for stock performance.
Spilled Coffee β€’ 16 implied HN points β€’ 23 Nov 24
  1. The stock market is doing really well recently, with all major indices up for the week. The S&P 500 is up 25.1% and the Nasdaq is leading with a 26.6% increase this year.
  2. Historically, there's a trend of market rallies during November and towards the end of the year. Many investors are looking forward to a possible Thanksgiving rally and the annual Santa Claus Rally ahead.
  3. Some data shows that less than half of the S&P 500 stocks are trending up, which could indicate some weakness. However, the current low percentage of large-cap stocks down 20% or more suggests investors are still optimistic.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 24
  1. Local housing markets saw their first year-over-year sales increase since August 2021. This is a positive sign for the real estate industry.
  2. The data includes comparisons to October 2019, showing how current markets stack up against pre-pandemic times.
  3. Over 40 local housing markets across the US are being tracked for this analysis. This gives a broad view of housing trends in different regions.
Spilled Coffee β€’ 16 implied HN points β€’ 16 Nov 24
  1. The S&P 500 reached its 51st all-time high this year, showing strong market performance. However, it ended the week lower, with declines seen across major stock indices.
  2. Inflation is stabilizing, with recent data showing it remains under control. Wage gains have also outpaced inflation for the past 18 months, which is good news for consumers.
  3. Post-election market surges are common, and this trend has continued in 2024. Historically, stock markets tend to do well under a unified government, which seems to be the case now.
Musings on Markets β€’ 519 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jul 22
  1. Country risk varies significantly between different nations. Countries with stable economies and strong political systems are generally safer for investments than those with instability or violence.
  2. Corruption and legal protections are vital factors influencing country risk. High corruption levels can increase costs for businesses, while strong legal systems provide better support for contracts and property rights.
  3. Recent global events, like the conflict in Ukraine, have raised risk levels across many countries. This has resulted in higher costs of capital for investors and increased equity risk premiums globally.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 06 Nov 24
  1. Asking rents have mostly stayed the same year over year, with a slight decrease of about 0.7%. This means that renting is a bit cheaper now than it was last year.
  2. There are more rental apartments available now, which has led to a higher vacancy rate of 6.8%. This increase in supply is likely to keep rents from rising quickly.
  3. Single-family home rents did see a small increase of 2.4% year over year, but this is the slowest growth seen in some time. It suggests that rent prices in general are stabilizing.
Spilled Coffee β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 12 Oct 24
  1. The S&P 500 has had a strong performance this year, with 45 new all-time highs and the best start since 2000. This means the market is doing really well right now.
  2. Despite the market's successes, only 54% of S&P 500 stocks are above their 20-day moving average. This is a bit low and worth keeping an eye on.
  3. With recent jobless claims rising more than expected, it could influence the Fed's decisions on interest rates. Many experts still believe there will be a rate cut soon.
Spilled Coffee β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 05 Oct 24
  1. The stock market has been doing really well, with the S&P 500 seeing a strong start this year. It's the best start since 1997, which is exciting for investors.
  2. In the third quarter, the S&P 500 had its best performance since 2020, and many stocks outperformed the index. This shows healthy growth and optimism in the market.
  3. Certain sectors like utilities are doing great, while energy stocks are lagging behind. It's important to pay attention to these trends when investing.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter β€’ 57 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
  1. Single-family housing starts were up 22% year-over-year in January, while multi-family starts experienced a significant decrease.
  2. There was an overall decrease in total housing starts in January, although November and December numbers were revised up.
  3. Permits held up better than starts in January, with likely impacts from severe weather last month.
Global Markets Investor β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 26 Feb 24
  1. Weekly performance update: Last week saw significant increases in major US indexes, VIX volatility, Bitcoin, and gold. Nvidia stood out with a 9% rise after surpassing earnings and guidance expectations.
  2. Nvidia's remarkable growth: Nvidia's market cap doubled to $2 trillion in just 8 months, making it the third largest US company. Its outstanding revenue forecast and stock performance pose a question about its future success.
  3. Chinese market support and US bank debts: Chinese authorities are propping up their stock market, while major US banks are facing challenges with bad property debt surpassing loss reserves. Keep an eye on US government bond yields and PCE inflation data for potential impacts on various markets.
Clouded Judgement β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 27 Dec 24
  1. In 2024, the median multiple for cloud software stocks was 6.1x, showing stability throughout the year. This means that software companies were valued similarly at the beginning and end of the year.
  2. Only a few companies had impressive growth, with just 3 companies increasing over 100% in stock price. Most companies had mild performance, with half going up and half going down.
  3. Key companies like Cloudflare, CrowdStrike, and Datadog consistently ranked in the top ten for valuation multiples. This shows their strong market position over the past few years.
Jon’s Newsletter β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 05 Oct 22
  1. Bear markets can last a long time, often around 19 months, and stocks need to regain previous highs to be considered out of a bear market.
  2. Stocks usually don't hit their lowest point until interest rates come down, which is expected around April 2023.
  3. It's tricky to predict the right time to buy or sell stocks; missing key market days can hurt your long-term returns, historically reducing gains significantly.
Jon’s Newsletter β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 23
  1. Interest rates are a big deal for the stock market, and higher rates can make investors nervous about how companies will perform. Stock prices might drop if rates keep rising.
  2. Although stocks have bounced back from lows, past market losses have affected confidence. Some experts think the economy is in decent shape, which could help weather rate increases.
  3. Bear markets usually last a while after the last rate hike, suggesting tough times ahead. But this bear market started before the first rate hike, which is something to consider for those hoping for a quicker recovery.
Clouded Judgement β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 20 Dec 24
  1. The Federal Reserve is expecting fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than many had hoped. They now see only two cuts instead of three or four.
  2. The Fed raised its inflation projections, indicating that inflation might be a bigger problem than previously thought. This caused a noticeable drop in market values.
  3. Economic growth estimates for 2025 have improved slightly, but the Fed suggests it will be cautious moving forward, making investors nervous.
Musings on Markets β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jan 22
  1. Having a lot of data isn't always helpful. Sometimes, too much information can make it harder to make good decisions.
  2. Just because everyone thinks something is right doesn't mean it is. Crowds can be wrong, so it's important to think critically about popular opinions.
  3. Using data effectively requires understanding and skill. Knowing how to read the data properly can help you make better investment choices.
Klement on Investing β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 24
  1. Markets react to surprises in economic data, not just the data itself. A deviation from consensus forecasts often triggers market movements.
  2. The size of the economic surprise matters. The impact can vary based on the type of data, with some like inflation having stronger effects.
  3. Economic indicators like inflation, unemployment, PMIs, and consumer confidence are crucial for investors to watch. Interest rates also play a significant role.
Klement on Investing β€’ 1 implied HN point β€’ 06 Mar 24
  1. Consumer sentiment surveys are essential indicators for future consumption, but some specific questions like the outlook on major purchases can predict consumption better than headline figures.
  2. Consumers tend to be overly optimistic about their future family finances compared to the overall economy, which can impact future consumption growth.
  3. The level of ex ante optimism, comparing expectations for family finances and the economy, can be a powerful predictor of future consumption growth, while ex post optimism influences savings ratios and credit usage.
Global Markets Investor β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 24
  1. Stocks perform best in falling and stable inflation; commodities and precious metals perform well in rising inflation.
  2. During periods of falling inflation, stocks are favored, followed by bonds and real estate. Commodities tend to be the worst performers.
  3. In stable inflation environments, stocks still play a significant role, while real estate, bonds, commodities, and precious metals are also included in the portfolio.
Global Markets Investor β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
  1. The performance of major US indexes, Bitcoin, and gold, with insights into market volatility and inflation data, was a focus for the week.
  2. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's approach to rate cuts, inflation measures, and the impact on the market were discussed in the post.
  3. A comparison of the US economy's strength with that of the European Union, UK, Japan, and China, highlighting the support provided by the US central bank and government.
Spilled Coffee β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 24
  1. The stock market has been reaching new all-time highs with strong performance across various sectors and asset classes.
  2. Despite Apple's underperformance compared to the S&P 500 and other tech stocks, it may present a potential buying opportunity as past dips in Apple have been followed by strong recoveries.
  3. The current market trend is leaning towards risk-on behavior, with evidence in the rise of high-risk assets like Bitcoin and certain ETFs.
Musings on Markets β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 18
  1. Yield curves can give clues about the economy, but they are not always reliable predictors. It’s important to consider all the data when interpreting changes in the yield curve.
  2. The short end of the yield curve seems to have a stronger link to economic growth, while the long end shows little correlation. This suggests that short-term rates are more significant for understanding economic trends.
  3. In recent years, the relationship between yield curves and economic performance has changed. It's essential to be cautious when using past indicators to predict future markets, as the economic environment is different now.
The Tweetsift Report β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 23
  1. Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased by 1.7% in Q4 2022, despite declining annually by 1.7%.
  2. Nonfinancial corporate sector productivity rose by 0.6% in Q3 2022, contrary to previous reports of a 1.6% decline.
  3. Overall, the report indicates more bullish sentiments in labor productivity, with positive indicators surpassing negative ones.
Musings on Markets β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 26 Feb 20
  1. The recent market crisis is driven by fear stemming from the COVID-19 virus, which complicates predictions about economic impacts. Investors are feeling uncertain and need to approach their decisions with caution.
  2. Market drops can be alarming, but it's important to view them in the larger context of overall market performance. Regular investors might not see major changes in their portfolios over the long term despite recent losses.
  3. It's essential to rely on your own judgment when making investment decisions, especially during uncertain times. With ongoing developments regarding the virus, staying informed and adaptable is key.
Wadds Inc. newsletter β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jul 24
  1. There's a free monthly newsletter called Jobs in PR that focuses on job openings in the UK's public relations agencies.
  2. The number of job roles in the PR sector has been stable with opportunities for all experience levels, suggesting the industry is recovering.
  3. Overall business confidence in the UK is increasing, which could lead to more job openings in the PR field later this year.