{"product_id":"economic-indicators-for-dummies-isbn-9781118037621","title":"Economic Indicators For Dummies","description":"\u003cb\u003eEverything you need to easily get a handle on economic indicators\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cp\u003eIn today's volatile, often troubling economic landscape, there are myriad statistics and reports that paint an economic picture that can sometimes resemble a work by Jackson Pollock. These complex and often-conflicting reports could vex even the savviest investor. \u003ci\u003eEconomic Indicators For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e explains how to interpret and use key global economic indicators to make solid investments, aid in business planning, and help develop informed decisions. In plain English, it breaks down the complex language and statistics to help you make sense of this critical information.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYou'll discover how to interpret economic data within the context of other sometimes-conflicting reports and statistics, and use the information to make profitable decisions. You'll understand the meaning of such data as employment indices and housing and construction stats and how they affect stocks, bonds, commodities and international markets . . . and how you can use these statistics to make investment decisions as well as plan strategic goals for business growth. \u003ci\u003eEconomic Indicators For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e breaks down dozens of statistics and patterns to give you a better understanding of how various sources of data and information can be used.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eBreaks down jargon and statistical concepts\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCovers how to use publicly available economic indicators to better position your portfolio, improve returns, and make sensible, long-range business plans\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDiscusses the reliability and timeliness of the collected data, while helping investors prioritize the flow of economic information to avoid information overload\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhether you're an investor, economics student, or business professional involved in making key strategic decisions for your company, \u003ci\u003eEconomic Indicators For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e has you covered.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout This Book 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConventions Used in This Book 2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoolish Assumptions 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat Not to Read 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow the Book Is Organized 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart I: Figuring Out the Economy 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart II: Making Money, Spending Money: Employment and Consumer Indicators 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart III: The Essence of Business: Product and Service Indicators 5\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart IV: Inflation, Productivity, Interest Rates, and Commodities: Oh My! 5\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart V: International Intrigue: Indicators beyond the United States 5\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart VI: The Part of Tens 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIcons Used in This Book 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere to Go from Here 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart I: Figuring Out the Economy 7\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 1: Introducing Economic Indicators 9\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding What Economic Indicators Are 10\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReading the economy through economic indicators 10\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCycling through economic ups and downs 11\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying What Indicators Indicate 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking consumer spending 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at the big picture 13\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing manufacturing 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCounting up the number of bought, sold, and newly built homes 15\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring inflation 15\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasuring productivity 16\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at loans and commodity purchases 16\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing worldwide economies 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing How to Start Following Economic Indicators 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalyzing the data 19\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking economic indicator release dates 19\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2: Explaining Economic Jargon 21\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying Types of Economic Indicators 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSummarizing economic results 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying for information 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndexing the economy 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding How Economists Analyze the Data 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasuring growth 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnnualizing reported data 29\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmoothing data with moving averages 32\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMassaging Economic Data to Make the Results More Useful 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdjusting for inflation 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdjusting for seasonal fluctuations 37\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering the Timeliness of Economic Indicators 37\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeading indicators make forecasts 38\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoincident indicators are no coincidence 38\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLagging indicators can’t foretell the future 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking into the Future with Consensus Forecasts 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding consensus forecasts 40\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalyzing the accuracy of the consensus 40\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmending and Modifying Data with Revision Reports 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRevising previous reports 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChanging benchmarks 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCha-Ching: Money, Interest Rates, and the Economy 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the Fed’s monetary measures 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSetting short- and long-term interest rates 44\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 3: Understanding the Big Picture: The Economy and Its Footprints 45\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaking a Closer Look at the Business Cycle 46\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying the phases of the cycle 46\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowing into expansion 49\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSlowing into recession 49\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReviewing the Key Financial Markets 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvesting in stocks 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHolding bonds 53\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrading commodities 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking currencies 56\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring Out What’s What in Economic Reports 57\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding what’s important in each report 58\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing how reports are assembled 59\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShowing Economic Fashions without the Runway 59\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding market sensitivity 60\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermining an indicator’s accuracy and timeliness 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing who’s interested in what 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart II: Making Money, Spending Money: Employment and Consumer Indicators 65\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 4: Counting Jobs and Unemployment 67\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking the BLS Employment Situation Report 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCounting workers and the unemployed 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlighting key parts of the jobs report 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeciphering employment numbers 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePredicting market reactions due to employment changes 77\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at Unemployment Insurance Claims 79\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeeping track of unemployment insurance claims 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmoothing jobless claim fluctuations 81\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalyzing the claims numbers 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermining how the market may react to increased claims 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing the ADP National Employment Report ® 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReviewing key parts of ADP’s jobs report 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparing the ADP and BLS reports 86\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring out how the market will react to the ADP report 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdvertising for Jobs: The Conference Board Help Wanted Online Index 88\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasuring the availability of jobs online 88\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePredicting how the market will react 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCollecting the BLS Mass Layoff Statistics Report 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurfing Monster Employment Indexes 91\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 5: Survey Says: Considering Consumer Sentiment, Confidence, and Comfort 93\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrying to Figure Out Consumers 94\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying UM’s Consumer Sentiment Index 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing the importance of this index 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering the consumer’s expectations 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelating consumer sentiment and spending: What the data mean 97\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking for unexpected changes 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing how the markets will react 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the Consumer Confidence Index 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing how people feel about the economy 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking for happy consumers 103\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparing and contrasting surveys 103\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding surprises in the confidence survey 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdjusting your portfolio strategy 107\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReviewing the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJustifying another consumer survey: What makes this one unique 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelating comfort, recovery, and recession 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eModifying your portfolio strategy 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 6: Spreading the Wealth: Consumer Spending and the Economy 113\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking and Spending: The BEA’s Personal Income and Outlays Report 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking personal wages, savings, and purchases 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlighting consumers’ economic impact: The wealth effect 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying the relationship between spending, income, and the economy 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReacting to surprising results 123\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying Retail Sales: The Census Bureau’s Retail Trade Report 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlighting product purchases 125\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring spending trends 126\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvesting based on the survey results 127\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow Much Consumers Borrow: The Consumer Credit Outstanding Report 128\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking Online Sales: The Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales Report 130\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart III: The Essence of Business: Product and Service Indicators 133\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 7: GDP: The Whole Enchilada 135\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrasping What the GDP Report Is 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreaking down the GDP schedule 136\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding the economy’s growth rate 137\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCounting products and services in the GDP 140\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlighting the GDP’s Importance 142\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeclaring recessions and recoveries 143\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying how businesses use the GDP 144\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding how the government uses the GDP 144\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing how investors use the GDP 145\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing How the GDP Is Calculated 147\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasuring personal consumption 149\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking private investments 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCounting government consumption 152\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring imports and exports 152\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePurchasing and selling domestic products 153\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing How GDP Is Adjusted for Inflation 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChaining dollars to inflation 155\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparing GDP price indexes over time 156\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 8: Following the Fed 161\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the Fed’s Role 161\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOutlining the Fed’s basic structure 162\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding central banking 163\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigging into monetary policy 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReading the Fed’s FOMC Statement 166\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing why this report is important 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForecasting the future with the FOMC 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReacting to the FOMC Statement 168\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoring into the Beige Book 170\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring Manufacturing with the Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization Report 171\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing what the report measures 172\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelating output, capacity, and growth 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRepositioning your portfolio 176\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReviewing Regional Fed Reports 179\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying business outlook 180\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndexing national activity 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 9: Profiling Manufacturing: New Orders and Shipments 185\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFilling Orders for Durable Goods: The Advance Report on Durable Goods 185\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing where the data come from 186\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking new factory orders: Why these stats are important 187\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring out what the data mean 188\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelating manufacturing and future growth 191\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eManufacturing your portfolio response 193\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring Factory Orders and Sales: The Factory Orders Report 195\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparing the full and advance versions 196\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvesting in the full report 197\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCounting Business Inventories: The Manufacturing and Trade Inventories and Sales Report 198\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 10: Grappling with Economic Indexes 201\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasuring ISM’s Manufacturing Survey 201\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding how the ISM surveys purchasing agents 202\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChecking the health of manufacturers 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying purchasing managers’ insights for the PMI 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring market movement 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGauging Non-Manufacturing Companies 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking At the Leading Economic Index 210\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 11: Spending on Housing and Residential Construction 213\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowing the Economy One House at a Time 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRealizing the relationship between housing and GDP 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding U.S housing demand 216\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCounting One Start at a Time: The New Residential Construction Report 217\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing the data: Where the stats come from 217\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring building permits and other housing stats 219\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelating housing and economic activity 221\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRemodeling your investment portfolio 222\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReporting New-Home Sales: The New Residential Sales Report 223\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparing new starts with new sales: Is it possible? 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecognizing the connection between new-home sales and the economic cycle 226\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForecasting investment market reactions 226\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReporting Existing-Home Sales 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking housing prices 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding how existing-home sales affect investment markets 230\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring Pending Home Sales 231\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying Mortgages 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing what data you get at no cost 234\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking delinquent mortgages 234\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying potential market changes 235\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePricing the S\u0026amp;P\/Case-Shiller Indices 236\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart IV: Inflation, Productivity, Interest Rates, and Commodities: Oh My! 239\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 12: Determining Inflation’s Economic Impact 241\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGauging Inflation from the Consumer’s View: The Consumer Price Index 242\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing the parts of the CPI 242\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn a basket: How CPI is measured 244\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding why inflation matters 247\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing the different reactions to inflation and the CPI 248\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInflating investment returns 251\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing Manufacturing Costs to Measure Inflation: The Producer Price Index 252\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparing the PPI and CPI 253\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInflating the price of business supplies 254\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelating the PPI and economic growth 255\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShowing PPI’s investment market impact 256\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking Inflation through Labor Costs: The Employment Cost Index 258\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring and tracking labor costs 258\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing how the Fed uses the ECI 259\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmploying labor costs in investment analysis 260\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 13: Taking a Closer Look at Productivity and Economic Growth 261\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasuring Productivity and Costs: The Labor Productivity and Costs Report 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining productivity 263\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelating productivity to job growth and costs 266\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eProducing investment returns 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWatching Employee Compensation Costs: The ECEC Report 268\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring labor costs 270\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing labor costs to improve investments 270\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalculating What Workers Really Make: The Real Earnings Report 272\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 14: Eyeing Business and Municipal Borrowing in the Bond Market 273\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSimplifying the Fixed-Income Market 274\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShowing Some Interest in Interest 275\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrasping how interest rates are set 275\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermining risk 276\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding Current Interest Rates: The Selected Interest Rates Report 277\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaming the TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) Spread 281\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing the Treasury Yield Curve 282\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInterpreting the yield curve 282\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying how the curve can look and what the shapes mean 283\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing the Bond Market’s Impact on the Rest of the Market 286\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYielding interesting returns 286\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvesting in yield 286\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForecasting the currency’s value 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 15: Harvesting Commodity Data 289\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding Commodities: Focusing on Supply and Demand 290\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePaying cash upfront: Cash markets 290\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpecifying the purchase terms before you buy: Forward contracts 291\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBidding for a price: Futures markets 292\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelving into Commodities Reports 293\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigging for gold and other precious metals 293\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDrilling into the energy markets 295\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowing the agricultural markets 299\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMining industrial metals 301\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePricing Commodities 302\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding spot prices 302\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding futures prices 303\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking Commodity Indexes 304\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing Standard \u0026amp; Poor’s GSCI 304\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigging into the Thomson Reuters\/Jefferies CRB Index 306\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReading The Economist’s commodity index 307\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Indexes 308\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart V: International Intrigue: Indicators beyond the United States 309\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 16: Trading with the United States 311\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking Trade: U.S International Trade in Goods and Service Report 312\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReporting U.S exports and imports 313\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding more trade data in the supplemental tables and online 321\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelating trade and economic growth 321\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrading information for investment returns 322\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring Out the Balance of Trade 323\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing the TIC (Treasury International Capital) System 323\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 17: Following Economies Worldwide 325\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvesting in Overseas Markets 325\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing Reliable Sources to Find Info on International Indicators 328\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying purchasing managers globally 329\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying purchasing managers in Europe 329\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking the German Economy 330\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasuring German productivity 331\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying German businesses 334\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking the Japanese Economy 336\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying Japanese businesses 336\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasuring Japan’s productivity 340\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking China’s Economy 341\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 18: Monitoring Emerging Economies 345\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing Emerging Markets 345\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing the world through Google’s Public Data Explorer 346\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing other sources to track emerging markets 347\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring India’s Economy 347\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing India’s economic progress 348\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnticipating India’s future growth 349\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing Brazil’s Economic Future 350\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSummarizing Brazil’s economy 350\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding Brazil’s inflation issue 352\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart VI: The Part of Tens 353\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 19: Ten Ways to Track the U.S. Economy 355\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring Jobs and Employment Data 356\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccounting for Consumer Spending 357\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChecking Up on Businesses 357\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShowing an Interest in Interest Rates 358\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuilding on Housing and Construction 358\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing Inflation 359\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurveying Consumers 360\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing the GDP 360\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 20: Ten (Or So) Money-Making Tips You Can Use with Economic Indicators 361\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding the Big Picture: Distinguishing between Bull and Bear Markets 361\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking Sector Rotation 363\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing the Herd 364\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaking Three Steps, Then a Stumble 364\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBalancing Your Portfolio 364\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvesting Strategically 365\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaking Your Investments Abroad 365\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoiding Big Investment Mistakes 366\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoiding Analysis Paralysis 366\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossary 367\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 375\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMichael Griffis, MBA,\u003c\/b\u003e has been an active trader for more than two decades. He has written about stock trading for online audiences, and today writes about investing and marketing for clients in the banking and brokerage industries.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYour plain-English guide to making sense of economic indicators \u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn today’s economic landscape, countless statistics and reports paint a picture that can resemble a work by Jackson Pollock. These complex and often-conflicting reports could vex even the savviest investor. \u003ci\u003eEconomic Indicators For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e shows you how to interpret this critical information to make solid investments, aid in business planning, and help develop informed decisions.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eEconomic Indicators 101 — get a refresher on the terminology you’ll encounter in this book as well as plain-English explanations of common economic jargon \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eSpread the wealth — understand how consumer spending is the driving force behind an economy, where consumer dollars go, and who has money to spend\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eLarge and in charge — discover how tracking the largest economic sectors — healthcare, automobile manufacturing, and housing — is an excellent way to determine the economy’s current health\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFight inflation — find out how to monitor the economy for signs of inflation, rising employee compensation costs, and falling productivity\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eLook globally — decipher important international indicators if you’re considering investing in overseas markets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOpen the book and find:  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe analytical concepts you need to understand \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eA quick review of stocks, bonds, and other investment markets\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow unemployment makes an impact on investment markets\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhat you need to know about the GDP Report \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWays you can make sense of the Federal Reserve’s economic surveys and forecasts\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWorldwide economic indicators to watch\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eA glossary that defines key terms \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For Dummies","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989101527269,"sku":"NP9781118037621","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781118037621.jpg?v=1761782801","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/economic-indicators-for-dummies-isbn-9781118037621","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}