Retail sales declined more than expected in December, and adjusted for inflation, retail sales were down from a year ago. However, retail sales do not include spending on most services including travel, which appears to have remained strong in the latest credit card spending data for December. Residential construction fell in December, and with permits … Continued
The video below is part of a biweekly Auto Market Report series focusing on data and insights that provide a holistic view of the auto industry. Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke leads our effort to translate data and trends into actionable insights. Download this week’s presentation.
Inflation declined in December, as did used-retail vehicle sales. Auto loan performance deteriorated further, and consumer sentiment is mixed so far this month. Used-vehicle retail sales and average wholesale prices on a non-seasonally adjusted basis also fell in December, as did. Full-year 2022 saw the largest declines in used-vehicle wholesale values in Manheim Used Vehicle … Continued
Job growth in December slowed, the unemployment rate fell, and wage growth decelerated. Continuing jobless claims increased from historical lows, but there is little evidence of major deterioration in the jobless claims data. Moreover, relative to the job base, jobless claims remain at historically low levels. The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of sales for … Continued
The video below is part of a biweekly Auto Market Report series focusing on data and insights that provide a holistic view of the auto industry. Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke leads our effort to translate data and trends into actionable insights. Download this week’s presentation.
Major economic indicators were negative to close out 2022. Consumer spending growth slowed substantially in November, with spending on motor vehicles and parts down in November after an October increase. Personal income growth also slowed. The massive rise in mortgage rates has reduced demand, particularly causing a decline in the construction of single-family homes. On … Continued
In today’s market, the deterioration of consumer credit, and auto loan performance, in particular, is a worrying sign for industry watchers. In the context of high inflation and with the Fed intent on slowing the economy and weakening the labor market, there are indeed clear signs of stress in the system. Continued jobless claims are … Continued
The video below is part of a biweekly Auto Market Report series focusing on data and insights that provide a holistic view of the auto industry. Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke leads our effort to translate data and trends into actionable insights. Download this week’s presentation.
Inflation declined in November, according to the Consumer Price Index, but prices remain high. Still worried about inflation, the Fed remains hawkish about pushing rates higher early in 2023 after increasing rates by 50 basis points last week following four straight 75-BPs increases. Auto loan performance deteriorated further in November. The default rate in November … Continued
As expected, the Fed raised the target for the Federal Funds Rate by half a percentage point today, which was a smaller increase than the four straight jumbo increases that preceded the latest move. The Fed’s biggest news was that the terminal rate, meaning the ultimate peak in rates for this tightening cycle, will be … Continued
