Tracking America's Economy

Abstract

1. Attributes of Economic Indicators Business Cycles Seasonality Index Numbers Data Accuracy Calculating and Presenting Growth Rates Price-Adjusted Dollars The Underground Economy Distinctions Among and Structures The Production of Economic Statistics Data Integrity Review Questions Notes 2. Framework for Macroeconomic Analysis, Policies, and Forecasting Analytic System Fiscal, Monetary, and Incomes Policies Humphrey-Hawkins Act Unemployment and Inflation Goals: Fiscal and Monetary Policies Incomes Policies Review Questions Notes 3. Economic Growth GDP Methodology Analysis of Trends Assessment of Economic Growth in the First Decade of the 21st Century An Action Plan Review Questions Notes 4. Household Income and Expenditure Methodology Analysis of Trends Consumer Optimism and Pessimism Opinion Surveys Review Questions Notes 5. Business Profits, Nonresidential Investment, and Housing GDP, Nonresidential Investment, and Business Profits Housing Review Questions Notes 6. Government Budget Aggregates and Components Prospects for Government Surplus/Deficit Position in the Mid-2000s Taxes and Work Effort Review Questions Notes 7. The United States in the World Economy International Transaction Methodology Demand for Exports and Imports Value of the U.S. Dollar Globalization of Production Goods, Services, and Income Balances Investment Position of the U.S. Sustainability of Deficits and Debtor Status in the Balance of Payments Review Questions Notes 8. Employment, Worker Income, and Employer Costs Employment Methodology of the Two Employment Surveys Analysis of Employment Trends Analysis of Employment Trends Worker Income Employer Costs Review Questions Notes 9. Unemployment Unemployment Data Methodology of Measuring Unemployment Analysis of Trends Unemployment Insurance Review Questions Notes 10. Productivity Methodology of Measuring Productivity Analysis of Trends Productivity and Price Change Review Questions Notes 11. Inflation and Deflation Definitions CPI Methodology Analysis of Trends Concern About Deflation: Common Stock and Housing Prices and the CPI Inflation and Capacity Utilization Review Questions Notes 12. Finance Implementing Monetary Policies Interest Rates The Stock Market Appendix: Federal Reserve Organization and Independence Review Questions Notes 13. Leading Indicator System Overview The Process of Cyclical Change The Primary Role of Profits Limitation for Forecasting Calculation of the Composite Indexes Assessments of the Leading Indicator System Probability of Future Recessions: Experimental Indexes Review Questions Notes 14. Noneconomic Intangibles Review Question