Decision Analyst’s Economic Index U.S. Census Divisions September 2017

Arlington, Texas—The Economic Indices for the U.S. Census Divisions have increased in the past 12 months. The East North Central Census Division has the highest score of all the Census Divisions, with an Index of 118 for September 2017, while the West North Central Division has a score of 116. The East South Central Division had the lowest Index score, 108 for September 2017.

September 2017 US Census Divisions Economic Index

 
United States Economic Index

The Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index stood at 115 in September 2017, a 1-point increase from August 2017 and a 4-point increase from its September 2016 level. The past-12-month slope of the Economic Index is trending upwards, indicating that the U.S. economy is likely to expand throughout 2017 and the first half of 2018. The Economic Index tends to lead U.S. economic activity by 6 to 12 months. Below is the past-10-year history of the U.S. Economic Index.

September 2017 US Economic Index

 

“The U.S. Economic Index is up 4 points over the past 12 months, an indication of moderate economic expansion and an indicator of continued GDP growth,” said Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO of Decision Analyst. “The greatest risks to the overall U.S. economy currently, and in coming months, are political uncertainties in Washington, D.C. Major corporations in industry after industry are afraid to make any major decisions or make any major investments, because they don’t know what the tax or regulatory policies will be in coming months. This political uncertainty is casting a chill over corporate America. At the same time, ultra low interest rates and quantitative easing have created bubbles in the U.S. economy that could burst at any time. Right now the Economic Index points to continued growth in the U.S. economy, but the risks are multiplying,” said Thomas.

Index History

The division-by-division results are presented in the graphs below. Remember, the Census Division graphs portray 3-month moving averages.

September 2017 New England Census Division
 

September 2017 Middle Atlantic Census Division
 

September 2017 East North Central Census Division
 

September 2017 West North Central Census Division
 

September 2017 South Atlantic Census Division
 

September 2017 East South Central Census Division
 

September 2017 West South Central Census Division
 

September 2017 Mountain Census Division
 

September 2017 Pacific Census Division
 

*Census Division Three-Month Moving Average

The Index numbers for the census divisions are three-month moving averages to smooth out fluctuations due to smaller sample sizes. The reported Index number averages the current month with the two previous months.

 
Methodology

The Decision Analyst Economic Index is based on a monthly online survey of several thousand households balanced by gender, age, and geography. The scientific survey is conducted in the last 10 days of each month. The Economic Index is calculated from 9 different economic measurements using a sophisticated econometric model. The result is a snapshot of coming economic activity in each country surveyed, as seen through the eyes of representative consumers living in the respective countries.

Decision Analyst conducts its concurrent economic surveys each month in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Peru, the Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States. Whenever the Decision Analyst Economic Index is greater than 110, it tends to signal an expanding economy. An Index value of 90 to 110 suggests a no-growth or slow-growth economy, and near or below 90 generally indicates economic contraction. These guidelines vary by country, however.

About Decision Analyst

Decision Analyst (www.decisionanalyst.com) is a global marketing research and analytical consulting firm specializing in strategy research, new product development, advertising testing, and advanced modeling for marketing decision optimization. For over 35 years, the firm has delivered competitive advantage to clients throughout the world in consumer packaged goods, telecommunications, retail, technology, medical, and automotive industries.

Media Contact

Cristi Allen
Publicity
Email: callen@decisionanalyst.com
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Address: 604 Avenue H East
Arlington, TX 76011

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