The economic data released last week affirmed a strong ending to 2023. Real GDP growth was 3.3% for the fourth quarter, which represented a slowing from the third quarter but was still very strong. All components of GDP were positive contributors, and while consumer spending decelerated, it remained at a healthy level for growth. Consumer … 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
Retail sales grew more than expected in December, posting their strongest performance since January 2023. New construction trends were mixed in December, but the underlying trend suggests stability in aggregate with more strength in single-family homes. Existing home sales declined in December to the lowest level since August 2010, with the lowest inventory since March … 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
Used-vehicle prices declined again in December while used-vehicle retail sales improved. Lower prices create demand for affordability-challenged consumers. Inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index, reaccelerated modestly in December. Headline inflation increased to 3.4% from 3.1% in November. Consumer credit expanded substantially in November as credit card usage jumped. However, Access to auto credit declined in … Continued
Job growth in December was stronger than expected, but prior months were revised down. The three-month average shows slowing growth, and that slowing should continue in 2024. The unemployment rate was steady as labor force participation fell and wage inflation accelerated slightly. The pace of new-vehicle sales increased in December as sales into rental fleets … 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 changed little in November but was consistent with expectations. Headline inflation declined with the second-lowest reading since March 2021. Only June was lower. Retail sales declined in November but were stronger than expected, with consumer spending having the strongest year-over-year performance since February. Access to auto credit declined in November as credit tightened across … Continued
A decade from now, when we look back at the years immediately following the global COVID pandemic of 2020, we’ll be awed by the dramatic swings and unprecedented circumstances the economy and auto market endured. To name a few, we saw historic appreciation in vehicle values, unimagined drops in supply, and interest rates moving from … Continued
As expected, the Fed left interest rates and overall monetary policy unchanged today. We have now had three straight meetings with no change in rate policy. The biggest changes from the Fed are in words and forecasts. Financial markets have changed perspective quite a bit since the last Fed meeting. Bond yields and real consumer … Continued