Market Insights and Outlook - Cox Automotive Inc.

Smoke on Cars Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke shares his insights on macroeconomic trends, business cycles, demand and the economic factors influencing the automotive industry today.

5 min read

Auto Market Weekly Summary 05/23/2022 COVID cases increased again last week and exceeded levels seen at the same time last year. However, severity indicators, like fatalities and ICU admissions, remain at or near pandemic lows. COVID cases combined with the war in Ukraine, rising inflation and a volatile stock market are negatively impacting consumer sentiment. Retail sales increased solidly, indicating consumer demand endures despite high inflation. However, both Walmart and Target… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

5 min read

Auto Market Weekly Summary 05/16/2022 COVID cases increased again as Omicron subvariants push case numbers up to levels last seen in mid-February. Measures of consumer sentiment have shown declines so far in May, as inflation and stock market declines weigh on consumer attitudes. Inflation decelerated slightly in April, but rent and services saw gains. Consumer credit grew at an accelerated pace in March as credit card spending growth set a record… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

5 min read

Cox Automotive Auto Market Report: May 10 05/10/2022 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. Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars

5 min read

Auto Market Weekly Summary 05/09/2022 The April employment report showed stable job growth at 428,000 new jobs, and the unemployment rate was also unchanged at 3.6%. Labor force participation declined from what had been the highest level for the pandemic in March. Growth in average hourly earnings slowed. Consistent with a strong labor market, continuing claims keep falling and are now at a 52-year low. New-vehicle sales in April were down… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

4 min read

Implications of Fed Moving Rates Higher and Starting Quantitative Tightening 05/04/2022 The Fed delivered on expectations today by raising the target rate for the Federal Funds Rate by half of a percentage point and announcing the plan to start reducing its balance sheet starting on June 1. The increase in the target rate was the largest in 22 years. The policy decision by the Fed Open Market Committee was unanimous, and financial markets reacted positively to it.… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

4 min read

Auto Market Weekly Summary 05/02/2022 Real GDP declined in the first quarter but mainly because of net exports and declining inventories. Consumer spending remained robust. Consumer spending in March, in fact, accelerated and even showed growth on an inflation-adjusted basis over February and last year. Incomes are also growing at a healthy pace supported by every factor but unemployment benefits. That decline in unemployment benefits is a result of continuing jobless… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

5 min read

Cox Automotive Auto Market Report: April 26 04/26/2022 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. Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars

4 min read

Auto Market Weekly Summary 04/25/2022 The job market continues to be one of the strongest parts of the economy as continuing jobless claims keep falling and are far lower than they were before the pandemic began. New construction continues to be strong, with growth in multi-family, which is sorely needed, driving permits and starts higher in March. Existing home sales fell in March as low supply persists, and higher prices and… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

5 min read

Auto Market Weekly Summary 04/18/2022 COVID-19 cases are increasing again as the BA.2 omicron variant is spreading in the U.S., but cases remain relatively low. Data on consumer sentiment is mixed so far in April, as the University of Michigan index improved in the initial April reading, but the daily index from Morning Consult is down for the month as of last Friday. Inflation accelerated in March to record the highest… Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars Economy & Trends

5 min read

Cox Automotive Auto Market Report: April 12 04/12/2022 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. Read Article

Market Insights Smoke on Cars

@CoxAutomotive

For more info or news from other Cox Automotive brands, visit the following newsrooms:

Sign up here to receive bi-weekly updates on news and trends dominating the automotive industry.

@CoxAutomotive

For more info or news from other Cox Automotive brands, visit the following newsrooms: