The Producer Price Index measures the average changes in prices received by domestic producers for their goods and services. It is an indicator of inflation used to gauge wholesales prices in the economy.

Personal Consumption Expenditures is an economic indicator which reflects consumer spending, or what is known as “consumption”. This is important as consumption makes up a significant part of the US economy, however the PCE is usually predictable and hence its effect on the markets is usually negligible.

Stagflation refers to a situation where economic growth stagnates while inflation is high. This is usually a bad situation as economic growth is weak but prices are rising anyway. Stagflation occured in the US during the 1970s due to the oil shock causing a sharp rise in prices and a faltering economy.

Misery Index is calculated by adding unemployment rate with inflation rate. It was invented in the 1970s when inflation was rampant and unemployment was high. Though it may have some relevance in reflecting in the economic climate, it has largely been ignored in the past two decades due to the long streak of low inflation [...]

Unemployment rate is the percentage of the total labor force which is unemployed but is actively seeking work.
The unemployment rate usually draws attention during bull markets when it gets too low, causing worries of an overheating economy and potential inflation and rate hikes by the central bank. It also draws attention in bear markets as [...]

The Purchasing Managers’ Index or PMI, is an indicator which reflects economic conditions in the manufacturing sector. A PMI reading of over 50 indicates an expansion in manufacturing over the previous month and a reading below 50 indicates a contraction over the previous month.

Empire State Manufacturing Survey is a monthly survey of manufacturers in New York State conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which attempts to gauge the sentiment of manufactueres in NY,and which the NY [...]

NY Empire State Index is an index which tracks the results of the Empire State Manufacturing Survey. It reflects the current sentiment of manufacturers and their outlook six months ahead. Thus it is one indicator of economic conditions in one of the most populated regions in the US.

Baltic Dry Index is an index which reflects the costs to transport raw materials by sea. Changes in the Baltic Dry Index are used to as an indicator of how well the global economy is doing, since a strong demand for shipping would reflect a strong global economy and vice versa. This could have significant [...]

Housing starts are the number of new residential home projects that have been started in any specific month. Strong housing starts reflect strong demand for housing, which may reflect strength in the economy and vice versa.