U.S. Economy Mired in Sluggish Growth, According to Decision Analyst's Economic Index

Arlington, Texas—The Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index registered 109 in April 2016, a 1-point increase from March 2016, indicating that the U.S. economy is locked into a pattern of very slow growth, or no growth, in coming months. The Economic Index tends to lead U.S. economic activity by 6 to 12 months. Below is the past-10-year history of the U.S. Economic Index.

April 2016 Economic Index

“The U.S. Economic Index bounced around over the past 12 months, but ended the year at 109, slightly above the 108 registered 12 months earlier. This sideways movement of the U.S. Index over the past 12 months suggests that 2016 will be another year of no economic growth or very modest growth,” said Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO. “Keep in mind that this very slow growth is taking place despite record low interest rates and very stimulative fiscal policy in Washington, D.C. A number of structural factors are holding the U.S. economy in check: an aging population; a lower share of adults who work (compared to a few years ago); rising debt levels in government and business; overinvestment in technology, software, entertainment, and analytics companies where returns are low; rising student debt; economic weakness in Canada and in Europe; inadequate bank credit for smaller businesses; and the rising cost of healthcare. Also, the ultra-low interest rates of the Federal Reserve are creating bubbles that pose significant risks for the U.S. economy, including bubbles such as technology investments, rural land, stocks and bonds, automobiles, etc.) A U.S. recession beginning in 2016 or early 2017 remains a possibility, but the odds continue to favor slow economic growth, based on the Economic Index.”

Census Divisions

The U.S. Census Divisions are not all moving in the same direction. In the past 12 months, the East South Central Census Division increased 8 points, from 105 in April 2015 to 113 in April 2016. The East North Central decreased from 111 in April 2015 to 108 in April 2016, the West North Central Division decreased from 113 in April 2015 to 109 in April 2016, while the West South Central Division decreased from 109 in April 2015 to 106 in April 2016.

April 2016 Economic Index US Census Division

 
Global Index

The following table compares Decision Analyst’s U.S. Economic Index to its Economic Indices for other countries.

Globally, more countries are showing declines in the past 12 months than are showing increases. In fact, outside the U.S., the only countries showing increases from a year ago are Mexico, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

April 2016 Economic Indicies

 
Methodology

The Decision Analyst Economic Index is based on a monthly online survey of several thousand households balanced by gender, age, and geography. The scientific survey is conducted in the last 10 days of each month. The Economic Index is calculated from 9 different economic measurements using a sophisticated econometric model. The result is a snapshot of coming economic activity in each country surveyed, as seen through the eyes of representative consumers living in the respective countries.

Decision Analyst conducts its concurrent economic surveys each month in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Peru, the Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States. Whenever the Decision Analyst Economic Index is greater than 110, it tends to signal an expanding economy. An Index value of 90 to 110 suggests a no-growth or slow-growth economy, and near or below 90 generally indicates economic contraction. These guidelines vary by country, however.

About Decision Analyst

Decision Analyst (www.decisionanalyst.com) is a global marketing research and analytical consulting firm specializing in strategy research, new product development, advertising testing, and advanced modeling for marketing decision optimization. For over 35 years, the firm has delivered competitive advantage to clients throughout the world in consumer-packaged goods, telecommunications, retail, technology, medical, and automotive industries.

Media Contact

Cristi Allen
Publicity
Email: callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 1-800-ANALYSIS (262-5974) or 1-817-640-6166
Address: 604 Avenue H East
Arlington, TX 76011

Download the PDF File

Download PDF file

Interactive Economic Index

Decision Analyst Economic Index

Click on the map above to open Decision Analyst's Interactive Map for the United States and its nine census divisions.

Logos & Images

If you are doing a story on Decision Analyst or using any of our published data, news releases or articles, you must cite "Decision Analyst" as the source of the information.

If you use any of the charts or tables from the press releases or other published materials, please email Cristi Allen at callen@decisionanalyst.com to let us know which graphics you took and for what newspaper, magazine, or website it was used.