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
Year-over-year inflation declined again in May, with headline inflation down to 4% from a year ago. More decline is ahead when used-car prices and rents finally accurately reflect what has already happened. With inflation continuing to decline and lagged impacts still coming from the monetary tightening over the last 15 months, the Federal Reserve left … Continued
The Fed did not raise rates today, which was widely expected. This was the first meeting without an increase after 10 straight increases. However, the Fed avoided calling it a pause or the end of rate increases and set a clear expectation that at least one more rate increase was likely as early as the … Continued
Used-vehicle sales volumes were stable in May relative to April, but they were off from the normal seasonal pattern, which is to see growth. Volumes were down 11% year-to-year, the worst performance so far this year. Wholesale used vehicle values fell again in May, and the price declines accelerated as the month progressed. Consumers continue … 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
At the start of June, the outlook appears to be improving with the passage of the increase in the debt ceiling and a strong jobs report for May. The May employment report represented a resilient labor market with accelerating job growth but an increasing unemployment rate and decelerating wage growth. The jobs gain of 339,000 … Continued
Growing income and spending data indicate that the consumer is alive and well, and inflation is still a factor that could lead to further Fed rate increases. First-quarter economic growth was revised upward but still reflected a slowing economy in aggregate. Beneath the headline deceleration was strong consumer spending. Consumer incomes and spending saw accelerating … 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 increased slightly in April from March but were down from a year ago. Half of the major categories are down year-to-year. New residential construction trends were mixed in April, but building permits now exceed starts, and the activity indicates that single-family construction is stabilizing. Existing home sales declined in April as supply limits … Continued
Year-over-year inflation declined again in April, in line with expectations. Consumers are increasingly tapping credit cards. Auto loan performance improved in April from the seasonal impact of households receiving tax refunds. Even so, loan performance remains worse than a year ago. Auto credit access declined in April across all auto sales channels and all lender … Continued
