Economy in a Nutshell
Top 10 Economic Indicators to Watch
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – Overall economic output.
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) – Inflation gauge.
- Unemployment Rate – Labor market health.
- Producer Price Index (PPI) – Wholesale price trends.
- Housing Starts – New construction activity.
- Retail Sales – Consumer spending snapshot.
- Manufacturing PMI – Manufacturing health.
- Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) – Household sentiment.
- Interest Rates (Fed Funds) – Monetary policy signal.
- Trade Balance – Exports vs. imports.
Quick Facts About the Global Economy
- World GDP grew 3.5% in 2023, a 0.4% year‑on‑year uptick.
- Inflation in the U.S. hit a 12‑year high of 3.7% in July 2023.
- The Eurozone’s unemployment dropped to 6.2% last quarter.
- China’s manufacturing PMI surpassed 50 for the first time since 2020.
- Cryptocurrency market cap hit an all‑time high of $2.5 trillion in 2022.
- Global debt stands at roughly 260% of GDP.
- Green energy investments grew 12% year‑on‑year in 2023.
- US Treasury yields spiked to 4.3% on the 10‑year note in late 2023.
- Tech layoffs accounted for 5 million jobs lost worldwide in 2023.
- Japan’s current account surplus rebounded to 0.9% of GDP.
Fun Corner
Ever wonder what a "bull market" feels like? Here’s a quick visual: