Research >> Economics
DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer increased 0.5%
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For the week ending April 2, 2011, the DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer jumped by +0.5 percent, on top of an upward revised increase of +0.2 percent in the prior week (originally reported as +0.1%). Consumers came out swinging in the week that kicks off the second quarter. Inflation-adjusted retail sales, mortgage activity, and box office sales were all strong, which helped to offset industrial components that were clearly affected by Japan supply disruptions. Auto and truck, and steel production were off in the latest week.
On a year-over-year basis, the barometer picked up to +2.9 percent in the week ending April 2, 2011, which compares to an average -3.3 percent decline over the Great Recession (determined to have ended in June 2009 according to the NBER). After flat lining in 2006, and declining from 2007 through 2009, the barometer bounced back in 2010 to rise by +3.4 percent, which was the strongest increase since 1994 (+4.0%), but not so impressive when you compare it to an -8.0 percent drop in 2009.
Posted: April 14, 2011 Thursday 10:00 AM