The increase in auto body repair prices is down from the all-time high in July but continues above the rate of inflation. The most recent government figures on inflation through October show the rate of growth of auto body repair prices is above the rate of general inflation for the 16th month in a row, […]
U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product Up in Third Quarter
Real gross domestic product (GDP) in the U.S., that is adjusted for inflation, increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the third quarter of 2022, according to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The third quarter results are a turnaround from the second quarter when real GDP had decreased […]
U.S. Auto Body Repair Prices Up Over 12% in September Compared to Last Year
The increase in auto body repair prices is down from the all-time high in July but continues above the rate of inflation. Collision repair facilities report securing labor rate increases from insurers in response to historic levels of inflation. The most recent government figures on inflation through September show the rate of growth of auto […]
Uncertainty Continues to Cloud Consumers’ Outlook on the Economy
Consumer Sentiment in September remains near August’s historic low. Consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged in September, just 0.4 index points above August, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Consumer sentiment is viewed as a leading indicator of economic activity and sharp declines have often preceded or happened during the early point of […]
Slowdown in Inflation Supports Rise in Consumer Sentiment in August
Consumers’ views on their personal financial situation improved during the month. Consumer sentiment rose by 13% in August, lifting off of the all-time low reading for the survey reached in June but remaining 17% below a year ago, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Consumer sentiment is viewed as a leading indicator of […]
U.S. Auto Body Repair Prices Up Nearly 15% in July Compared to Last Year
The increase in auto body repair prices continues above the rate of inflation. Marks historic largest year-on-year increase reported since data was tracked starting in 1978. The most recent government figures on inflation through July show the rate of growth of auto body repair prices is above the rate of general inflation for the 13th […]
Consumer Sentiment Slightly Up Over June
Consumers adjust to inflation as labor market expectations worsen. Consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged from June, when it had reached an all-time low for the survey, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Most components of the index were little changed, though buying conditions for durables adjusted upwards, primarily due to perceptions of […]
NFIB Survey Finds Large Majority of Small Business Owners Report Inflation Pressures Worsening
The NFIB Research Center released a new survey yesterday assessing the impact inflation is having on small businesses. Overall, over half (56%) of small employers reported that inflation is having a substantial impact on their business while about a third (35%) reported a moderate impact. Three quarters (75%) of owners reported that inflation pressure is […]
Preliminary July Consumer Sentiment Remains Near All-Time Lows
Index slightly up from June. Consumers may bring forward durable goods purchases to avoid price increases. Consumer sentiment was relatively unchanged in early July, remaining near all-time lows according to the preliminary University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers report released this morning. The Index of Consumer Sentiment stood at 51.1 for July, up 2.2% from […]
Small Business Optimism Declined in June
Expectations of future conditions hit all-time low. Owners reporting inflation as biggest business problem highest since 1980. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index dropped 3.6 points in June to 89.5, marking the sixth consecutive month below the 48-year average of 98. Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the […]