Research >> Economics
DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer up 0.5%
For the week ending March 7, 2009, the DJ-BTMU U.S. Business Barometer increased +0.5 percent following three consecutive weeks of decline, and coming off its lowest reading since April 1994 in the prior week. The consumer sector made a good showing in the latest week with housing activity jumping, perhaps prompted by new government measures to help homeowners under the Making Homes Affordable Program. Inflation-adjusted chain store sales were also strong, continuing the improving trend that emerged in February and has given hope that the consumer sector is forming a bottom in the current downturn. A bottom in the consumer sector could mean a bottom in the U.S. economy will be soon coming.
Posted: March 19, 2009 Thursday 10:00 AM