The April 2019 Cox Automotive Industry Update Report shares Cox Automotive’s multifaceted insight into the automotive marketplace to provide an overview of economic indicators, supply, demand, credit and other vital topics and trends affecting the industry. ECONOMIC INDICATORS The Employment…
Despite tame inflation, Fed patience with raising interest rates, wage gains and other positive economic signs, consumers are increasingly nervous, not about today, but about the future. Consumer sentiment dips: The initial reading on Consumer Sentiment from the University of…
Fears of an economic slowdown eased a bit thanks to a strong job growth report and better-than-expected new vehicle sales. Job growth rebounds: Job creation rebounded in March from anemic growth in February, relieving fears of a more dramatic slowdown…
Economic growth at the end of last year was much weaker than originally estimated. The economy decelerated to real GDP growth of 2.2%, setting up the first quarter to be much weaker as well. Mixed bag for confidence: Consumer confidence…
Economic growth slowed dramatically at the end of 2018 and remained slower to start the year. The Fed has recognized slowing growth as well as heightened risks and is now unlikely to increase short term rates this year. Yield curve…
After a slow start to the year, many leading indicators are pointing to a stronger economy this spring. Real wage growth is now stronger than we have seen in two-and-a-half years, thanks to higher wages combined with subdued inflation. Consumer…
The March 2019 Cox Automotive Industry Update Report shares Cox Automotive’s multifaceted insight into the automotive marketplace to provide an overview of economic indicators, supply, demand, credit and other vital topics and trends affecting the industry. ECONOMIC INDICATORS The pace…
Last fall the Cox Automotive Industry Insights team and I started warning about potential surprises lurking in tax refund season due to rushed changes to withholding tables made in the wake of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In January,…
Last week was a big week of data as government agencies provided more delayed insights into December and last year’s fourth quarter. We also received new readings on consumer sentiment and tax refunds as well as initial sales reports on…
New data points last week did not reveal any significant changes to major trends. The number and amount of tax refunds and total returns continued their downward trend for the third consecutive week. Last week’s recap: The economy is experiencing…
