Key Highlights: Inflation Trends Headline inflation was softer than expected in April as year-over-year inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), declined to 2.3% while core inflation was steady at 2.8% year over year. Retail Sales Retail sales in April were slightly better than expected, but category-level performance was mixed, with seven of twelve … Continued
Cox Automotive’s Auto Market Report video delivers a comprehensive analysis of the current automotive market. Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke leads our effort to translate data and trends into actionable insights. This video covers a wide range of topics, including consumer spending patterns, consumer sentiment, retail vehicle sales, financing rates, supply dynamics, pricing trends and leading … Continued
Key Highlights: New-Vehicle Sales and Prices The new-vehicle seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), or sales pace, declined slightly in April but remained up substantially year over year as buyers were motivated to buy ahead of tariff-related increases to prices. Used-Vehicle Market The used market also saw month-over-month declines but gains year over year. Used prices … Continued
The Fed left monetary policy unchanged today at the conclusion of their third scheduled meeting of 2025. No changes have been made so far this year. This meeting did not include updated forecasts or dot plots, leaving the financial markets with little new information. The market has been more optimistic about rate cuts in 2025 … Continued
Key Highlights: GDP and Spending The first estimate of GDP for the first quarter showed a decline in the economy, but it was mainly an accounting technicality based on surging imports. The data show that tariffs are having an impact, and besides surging imports, consumer spending is slowing. Consumer Spending While the GDP data showed … Continued
Cox Automotive’s Auto Market Report video delivers a comprehensive analysis of the current automotive market. Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke leads our effort to translate data and trends into actionable insights. This video covers a wide range of topics, including consumer spending patterns, consumer sentiment, retail vehicle sales, financing rates, supply dynamics, pricing trends and leading … Continued
Key Highlights: Existing Home Sales Existing home sales saw a significant decline in March, reaching levels comparable to the Great Recession. New Home Sales New home sales showed positive growth in March, with February’s sales being revised higher. Jobless Claims We have seen claims increase in recent weeks as government cuts impacted the data, but … Continued
Key Highlights: Retail Sales Surge in March Retail sales saw the strongest monthly growth in two years in March with 10 of 12 categories up, and sales were up year over year on a nominal and inflation-adjusted basis. Vehicle Market Leads the Charge The vehicle market was the strongest gainer as consumers pulled demand forward … Continued
Cox Automotive’s Auto Market Report video delivers a comprehensive analysis of the current automotive market. Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke leads our effort to translate data and trends into actionable insights. This video covers a wide range of topics, including consumer spending patterns, consumer sentiment, retail vehicle sales, financing rates, supply dynamics, pricing trends and leading … Continued
Key Highlights Inflation and Its Impact on the Auto Industry The CPI fell in March relative to February as year-over-year inflation declined to 2.4% and core inflation declined to 2.8%. This is likely a temporary low before these metrics rise by a percentage point or more later this year due to tariffs on more imported … Continued