Economic Indicators For Dummies

Your plain–English guide to making sense of economic indicators
In 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. Economic Indicators For Dummies shows you how to interpret this critical information to make solid investments, aid in business planning, and help develop informed decisions.
Economic Indicators 101 — get a refresher on the terminology you′ll encounter in this book as well as plain–English explanations of common economic jargon
Spread the wealth — understand how consumer spending is the driving force behind an economy, where consumer dollars go, and who has money to spend
Large 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
Fight inflation — find out how to monitor the economy for signs of inflation, rising employee compensation costs, and falling productivity
Look globally — decipher important international indicators if you′re considering investing in overseas markets
Open the book and find:
The analytical concepts you need to understand
A quick review of stocks, bonds, and other investment markets
How unemployment makes an impact on investment markets
What you need to know about the GDP Report
Ways you can make sense of the Federal Reserve′s economic surveys and forecasts
Worldwide economic indicators to watch
A glossary that defines key terms
Learn to:
Understand how indicators affect stocks, bonds, commodities, and international markets
Use various reports to make investment decisions
Plan strategic goals for bu siness growth

Spis treści:
Introduction 1
Part I: Figuring Out the Economy 7
Chapter 1: Introducing Economic Indicators 9
Chapter 2: Explaining Economic Jargon 21
Chapter 3: Understanding the Big Picture: The Economy and Its Footprints 45
Part II: Making Money, Spending Money: Employment and Consumer Indicators 65
Chapter 4: Counting Jobs and Unemployment 67
Chapter 5: Survey Says: Considering Consumer Sentiment, Confi dence, and Comfort 93
Chapter 6: Spreading the Wealth: Consumer Spending and the Economy 113
Part III: The Essence of Business: Product and Service Indicators 133
Chapter 7: GDP: The Whole Enchilada 135
Chapter 8: Following the Fed 161
Chapter 9: Profi ling Manufacturing: New Orders and Shipments 185
Chapter 10: Grappling with Economic Indexes 201
Chapter 11: Spending on Housing and Residential Construction 213
Part IV: Inflation, Productivity, Interest Rates, and Commodities: Oh My! 239
Chapter 12: Determining Infl ation′s Economic Impact 241
Chapter 13: Taking a Closer Look at Productivity and Economic Growth 261
Chapter 14: Eyeing Business and Municipal Borrowing in the Bond Market 273
Chapter 15: Harvesting Commodity Data 289
Part V: International Intrigue: Indicators beyond the United States 309
Chapter 16: Trading with the United States 311
Chapter 17: Following Economies Worldwide 325
Chapter 18: Monitoring Emerging Economies 345
Part VI: The Part of Tens 353
Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Track the U.S. Economy 355
Chapter 20: Ten (Or So) Money–Making Tips You Can Use with Economic Indicators 361
Glossary 367
Index 375

Nota biograficzna:
Michael Griffis, MBA, 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.

Okładka tylna:
Your plain–English guide to making sense of economic indicators
In 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. Economic Indicators For Dummies shows you how to interpret this critical information to make solid investments, aid in business planning, and help develop informed decisions.
Economic Indicators 101 — get a refresher on the terminology you′ll encounter in this book as well as plain–English explanations of common economic jargon
Spread the wealth — understand how consumer spending is the driving force behind an economy, where consumer dollars go, and who has money to spend
Large 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
Fight inflation — find out how to monitor the economy for signs of inflation, rising employee compensation costs, and falling productivity
Look globally — decipher important international indicators if you′re considering investing in overseas markets
Open the book and find:
The analytical concepts you need to understand
A quick review of stocks, bonds, and other investment markets
How unemployment makes an impact on investment markets
What you need to know about the GDP Report
Ways you can make sense of the Federal Reserve′s economic surveys and forecasts
Worldwide economic indicators to watch
A glossary that defines key terms
Learn to:
Understand how indicators affect stocks, bonds, commodities, and international markets
Use various reports to make investment decisions
Plan strategic goals for business growth