Signs that the Economy Is Better Than You Think

Retail sales rose by 1.2% in October. That’s the most in seven months.

Corporate profits are nearing an all-time high.

Jobless claims just fell to a four-month low.

Third-quarter productivity was 1.9% which nearly doubled expectations.

Over the last four months, private sector payrolls have increased by 526,000.

The ISM Index has been above 50 for 15-straight months.

Consumer confidence is the highest level since June.

The U.S. dollar is at a six-week high.

The total cost of TARP and the AIG bailout will come in at less than $50 billion, which is $300 billion less than estimated one year ago.

The federal budget deficit for 2010 is $125 billion less than it was for 2009.

Mortgage rates are at the lowest level since data was first kept in 1971.

The trade deficit narrowed (slightly).

Although industrial production fell 0.2% in September, it’s still up 5.4% in the past year.

The TED spread is currently at 0.16%. Over the summer, it had spiked to 0.48%. Two years ago, it peaked at 4.65%.

Posted by on November 16th, 2010 at 8:19 am


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