The REAL Economic Data Was Just Released, It's Not Good
Aug 19, 2024
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Steve Van Metre, an economic expert, and Goolsbee, a Bloomberg Fed adviser, dive deep into troubling revisions in U.S. economic data. They reveal how constant downward revisions hint that the economy might be overstated. Discussing consumer behavior, they note affluent shoppers are now turning to budget retailers. The pair also worry over stagnation in retail sales, questioning if current growth is merely debt-driven. As unemployment claims rise, the narrative of a soft landing is challenged, leaving listeners alarmed about the future of economic stability.
The phenomenon of 'revision disease' in economic data highlights consistent downward adjustments, causing concerns about the true state of the economy.
Despite initially positive retail sales figures in July, subsequent downward revisions reveal a troubling reality of weaker consumer spending and economic resilience.
Deep dives
The Impact of Revision Disease on Economic Data
Recent trends in US economic data reveal a pervasive issue known as 'revision disease,' where initial reports from government agencies are frequently revised downward. This phenomenon began with payroll figures and has now extended to key metrics such as retail sales and industrial production. For instance, July's retail sales, which initially exceeded expectations, have undergone significant adjustments that suggest a much weaker consumer spending landscape than previously indicated. Such revisions raise critical questions about the reliability of these economic indicators and their implications for assessing the health of the economy.
Discrepancies in Retail Sales and Economic Confidence
Despite reports of strong retail sales in July, analysis indicates that these numbers may not reflect true consumer behavior or economic resilience. Notably, while July's figures suggested solid spending, prior months have seen downward revisions that considerably change the overall narrative. Experts point out that anecdotal evidence from companies like Walmart indicates lackluster discretionary spending, which contradicts the optimistic headlines. This disconnection between reported figures and real-world economic conditions highlights the potential pitfalls of interpreting isolated data points as definitive indicators of economic strength.
Industrial Production Signals an Economic Slowdown
The substantial downward revisions in industrial production figures present alarming evidence of a broader economic decline. For example, the Federal Reserve's initial estimates for industrial production saw a drastic swing from positive growth to negative revisions, suggesting a contraction rather than recovery in manufacturing. Compounding this issue, manufacturers are increasingly reporting weakening demand and project delays, signaling caution as high interest rates and economic uncertainty persist. Overall, these developments indicate that contrary to the narrative of economic recovery, underlying trends may point toward an approaching recession.
Revisions are a normal part of high frequency data. Constant, near-exclusive downward revisions are not. Rewrites should be more evenly distributed which means these stats are overstating the economy. Plus, the problem is spreading hitting retail sales and IP as well as payrolls. While everyone went nuts over retail sales, the problem with July's number isn't just the likely downward revision.
Eurodollar University's conversation w/Steve Van Metre
Bloomberg Fed’s Goolsbee Says He’s Growing More Concerned About Employment https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-14/fed-s-goolsbee-says-he-s-growing-more-concerned-about-employment
Bloomberg Manufacturers Axe Products as a Factory Slowdown Lingers https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-08-16/rockwell-rok-xylem-xyl-axe-products-as-factory-slowdown-deepens