Research >> Economics
DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer dropped by -1.0%
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For the week ending July 14, 2012, the DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer dropped by -1.0 percent in reaction to the large increase due to Auto and Truck Production in the prior week. Electric Production decreased largely following a sharp increase in the previous week. Lumber Production also declined after increases for five consecutive weeks. Chain Store Sales increased slightly this week and has been up trend for four weeks in a row.
On a year-over-year basis, the barometer increased by +0.6 percent, 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 flatlining 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 percent), but not so impressive when compared to an -8.0 percent drop in 2009. The barometer increased by +2.2 percent in 2011 at a somewhat slower pace compared to 2010.
The smoothed version of the barometer, which attempts to account for weekly volatility, increased by +0.1 percent from the previous week while its year-over-year growth rate increased by +1.4 percent. The smoothed barometer has been increasing since the week ending June 16, 2012, after its revision.
Posted: July 26, 2012 Thursday 10:00 AM