U.S. Economic Recovery Remains Slow

Arlington, Texas—The Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index rose to 106 in September 2020, an increase of 15 points from the year’s low of 91 in April. However, the September 2020 Economic Index remains well below the January 2020 time period, by a deficit of 12 points. Economic activity appeared to be relatively strong in September as the U.S. economy continued to reopen. The rising Economic Index indicates that the U.S. economy will tend to improve during the balance of the year, but growth is likely to remain slower than the pre-pandemic pace. The Index tends to be a leading indicator of future economic activity, as shown by the past-20-year history of the Index shown below.

September 2020 Economic Index

“The U.S. Economic Index continues to signal economic growth, but at a slow pace for the balance of 2020. What happens during October, November, and December is largely up to COVID-19. If colder weather and the reopening of businesses and schools triggers a surge of COVID-19, the U.S. economy may really struggle this fall. It’s possible that more government stimulus could happen before Election Day, and that would certainly up the economic growth rate. However, all of the government stimulus (and the Fed’s ultra-low interest rates and its purchases of mortgages and corporate bonds) brings two major future risks: (1) massive speculation that misallocates U.S. resources (and we see such speculation already), and (2) runaway inflation. Once inflation soars out of control, the Fed will have to put on the brakes to control inflation. That will bring on the next recession. The U.S. government’s and the Fed’s choices are stark and limited. A growing risk factor is the probability of major business and corporate layoffs, once the government’s Payroll Protection Program expires. We are likely to see many layoff announcements by corporate America during the waning months of 2020," said Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO, Decision Analyst.

Unemployment Data From Decision Analyst's Economic Survey

“In Decision Analyst’s Economic Index survey, U.S. adults are asked to self-classify their employment status. They have to say they are ‘unemployed but looking for a job’ to be counted as unemployed,” said Thomas. “The U.S. employment picture has been improving for the past five months, but the U.S. unemployment rate according to Decision Analyst’s tracking survey remains at elevated levels. In reviewing the Decision Analyst unemployment estimates, June’s 7.6% rate appears to be an anomaly on the low side. The overall pattern suggests five months of gradually improving unemployment data. The September rate (9.3%) is unchanged from the past 2 months, statistically speaking. Decision Analyst’s survey of unemployment yields a rate higher than the BLS’s 7.9% for September 2020. Hidden within the data are a downtrend in full-time employment and large numbers of women dropping out of the labor force, probably to take care of children who are schooling at home,“ said Thomas.

“However, planned future purchases (see graphs below) continued, on average, to indicate that consumer spending (roughly 70% of the U.S. economy) is likely to remain reasonably stable for the balance of 2020. The graphs below show the percentage of U.S. households who say they are likely to make certain purchases in the next 12 months.”

september

Decision Analyst Intent to Buy Data: June

"The future purchase-intent results in these charts continue to suggest that people are working to make their homes more comfortable; intentions to purchase new furniture for the home, and new computer equipment, remain at elevated levels. Decreased vacation travel plans indicate more pain and suffering in the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc.). Car and truck sales may start to see some signs of life, while future sales of existing and new homes remain positive. All together, these graphs point to continued and modest growth in the waning months of 2020,” said Thomas.

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, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Peru, the Russian Federation, Spain, 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 40 years, the firm has delivered competitive advantage to clients throughout the world in consumer-packaged goods, telecommunications, retail, technology, medical, and automotive industries.

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