Key Highlights Employment Trends Job growth accelerated in February and came in close to expectations, but the unemployment rate increased, and wage growth decelerated. New-Vehicle Sales and Prices The new-vehicle sales pace, or seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), increased in February, but sales were slightly lower year over year with one fewer selling day. The … 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 Economic Growth and Inflation February flew by, and much like it started, we’re ending with anxiety about possible tariffs on Mexico and Canada around the corner. Consumer Spending and Income Consumer spending in January fell and was weaker than expected. Personal income growth jumped, driven mainly by increases in social security and Medicaid. … Continued
Key Highlights New-Vehicle Sales Forecast Cox Automotive forecasts a modest rebound in February’s new-vehicle sales, with a SAAR of 16.3 million, an improvement from last year’s 15.7 million and January’s 15.6 million pace. [Check back to the Newsroom for the forecast release later today.] Residential Construction Trends Residential construction trends were mixed in January as … 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 Trends Inflation accelerated in January, with vehicle prices, parts, and insurance contributing strongly to the gains as year-over-year inflation increased to 3.0% and core inflation increased to 3.3% year over year. Retail Sales Performance Retail sales declined 0.9% in January, as most categories declined, with winter weather playing a role. Vehicle sales … Continued
Key Highlights Employment Trends The unemployment rate declined, and wage growth accelerated. The labor market is stable and strong at what is considered full employment. Job growth slowed in January, but the prior two months saw substantial upward revisions. New-Vehicle Sales and Prices The new vehicle seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) declined in January, but … 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 Economic Growth and Consumer Spending The first estimate of fourth-quarter real GDP showed a slowing pace of growth at 2.3% from the 3.1% rate in the prior quarter, but underneath the total, consumer spending accelerated as spending on goods and services both accelerated. Personal Income and Inflation Consumer spending in December was strong … Continued
The Fed left monetary policy unchanged at the conclusion of their first meeting of 2025. This followed three consecutive meetings in the fall of last year in which they reduced the Fed Funds Rate by a full percentage point. The Fed meeting this week offered few new facts or insights about their perspectives. The latest … Continued