Definition of "Economic indicators"

Measures looking at the past , current an future direction of the economy. They may have an impact on the real estate market. Each month government bodies, including the Federal reserve System, and several economic institutions publish economic indicators. These consist of the following general categories:

  1. Measures of general economic performance, including gross domestic product (GDP), personal income, capital expenditures, corporate earnings, and inventories.
  2. Price indices measure the inflation rate. The consumer Price Index (CPI), a well-known inflation measure, is used as the cost-of-living index, which is related to employment contracts and social security. The Producer Price Index (PPI) monitors raw materials and semi-finished goods and measure prices at the early stage of the distribution cycle. It reflects changes in the general price level, or the CPI, before they actually occur. The GDP Implicit Deflator is another index of inflation that is used to isolate price changes in GNP calculation from real changes in economic activity.
  3. Measures labor market conditions and signals conditions in employment such as the unemployment rate, average workweek in manufacturing, applications for initial jobless claims and hourly salary rates.
  4. Money and credit market indicators include the money supply, consumer credit, the Dow Jones industrial Average(DJIA) and the Treasury bill rate.
  5. Measures for major product markets that apply to segments of the economy such as housing, retail sales, steel, and automobile. Examples include housing starts, construction permits, auto sales, and retail sales.
  6. economic indicators show a home buyer or a real estate investor something about national and local economic conditions, Industry trends are also revealed. see also index of leading economic indicators; lagging indicators.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Need to know the Ad Litem definition after coming across this weird term? Ad litem is short for “Guardian Ad Litem” or “Attorney Ad litem”, a legal term that ...

Something that is hidden or overlooked and may be realized at a later time. For example, an individual's name is improperly spelled on a title deed, and the oversight is not noticed until ...

Edifice constructed on the to floor of a building usually occupying less than 1/2 the roof area. A penthouse is used for two purposes; one or more luxury apartments directly accessed by a ...

One's given name at birth including a first name, a possible middle name, and a surname. The legal name must be used to legally sign documents, deeds, or contracts. ...

The endorser stipulates something such as that the transferee cannot use the funds for six months. ...

Contiguous shore area bordering a river that is subject to periodic water level increases. In the flood stage, the flood plain can be under water. ...

A fixed asset whose utility is derived from its physical attachment to a property and which usually cannot value or damage. A fixture, under the terms of a lease or other agreement, can be ...

Same as term access right: The right of a property owner to freely go to and return from an adjoining highway without interference." rollover;"Same as term: Tax-free exchange that allows ...

A loan indemnified against default by the borrower. Such loans may be a mortgage loan insured by a standard mortgage insurance policy or by FHA mortgage insurance. In the event of the death ...

Popular Real Estate Questions