During uncertain times, it is critical to gain an understanding of what is most likely to happen to the economy. This is an essential part of the business planning process. In the Economic Indicators course, we explore the nature of the business cycle and delve into the different types of economic indicators, including those related to labor, retail sales, expenditures, housing, manufacturing, inflation, and consumer confidence. The course also provides extensive coverage of the reports issued by the Federal Reserve. This course is the ideal tool for enhancing the reliability of your planning process.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Recognize the government agencies involved in the creation of economic indicators.
Specify the advantages and disadvantages of the gross domestic product concept.
Identify the different types of economic indicators.
Recognize the contents of the various reports about the economy issued by U.S. government agencies.
Identify the different types of discretionary spending by consumers.
Specify the source and uses of the inventories to sales ratio.
Recognize the issues associated with the Consumer Price Index.
Identify the types of commodities that can be used as economic indicators.
Recognize the economic indicators that can give advance notice of price and inflation changes.
Specify the components of the Misery Index.
Identify the different economy-related reports issued by the Federal Reserve Board.
Recognize which indicators do the best job of giving advance notice of the future state of the economy.
Major Topics
Business cycle
Gross Domestic Product
Leading Indicators
Coincident Indicators
Lagging Indicators
Labor-Related Indicators
Retail Sales Indicators
Personal Income and Outlay Indicators
Housing and Construction Indicators
Manufacturing Indicators
Price and Inflation Indicators
Federal Reserve Reports
