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
Key Highlights Residential Construction Trends Residential construction trends were mixed in December as permits declined and starts increased, but the underlying data suggest growth is ahead for multifamily. Existing Home Sales Existing home sales increased 2.2% in December, which was better than the 1.2% increase expected and marks the third month of increases. Inventory declined, … 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 Headline inflation, according to the CPI, accelerated to an increase of 0.4% in December, driven by rising gas prices. However, core CPI, which excludes food and energy, saw a decelerating increase of 0.2%, which was weaker than expected. Shelter costs remained high, with a steady increase of 0.3%. Retail Sales Performance … Continued
Key Highlights Employment Trends Job growth was strong and much better than expected in December, affirming that the labor market has stabilized. Unemployment declined, but wage growth cooled modestly. New-Vehicle Sales and Prices The new-vehicle seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) improved in December to 16.8 million, the best level since April 2021. Used-Vehicle Market The … Continued