Decision Analyst’s Economic Index U.S. Census Divisions December 2016

Arlington, Texas—The U.S. Census Divisions have increased in the past 12 months, except for the Mountain Division, which remained the same as a year ago. The South Atlantic Division had the highest score of all the Census Divisions. It registered an Index score of 115 for December 2016; that is an increase of 4 points from December 2015. The East South Central Census Division had the lowest Index score, a 110 for December 2016, which was an increase of 3 points from December 2015.

December 2016 US Census Divisions Economic Index

 
United States Economic Index

The Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index ended 2016 at 114 (December 2016), a 4-point increase from December 2015. This year-over-year increase in the Economic Index signals continued U.S. economic growth during the first half of 2017. 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.

December 2016 US Economic Index

 

“The overall trend of the U.S. Economic Index over the past few months suggests that 2017 will likely get off to a positive start,” said Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO of Decision Analyst. “However, the change of political power in Washington carries with it risks of economic distractions and economic turmoil. Disruptions in the flow of imports and exports could have major negative effects on the U.S. economy if the Trump Administration pursues trading restrictions, and the possible cancellation of the Affordable Care Act likewise carries economic risks. A continuing drag on the economy is the failure of large U.S. corporations to adequately invest in new equipment, new products, new people, and new facilities. We continue to believe that higher rates of interest would be good for the U.S. economy long-term,” said Thomas. “More normal interest rates would help reduce corporate financial engineering and would reduce speculative investments in marginal opportunities.”

Index History

The division-by-division results are presented in the graphs below. Remember, the Census Division graphs portray 3-month moving averages.

December 2016 New England Census Division
 

December 2016 Middle Atlantic Census Division
 

December 2016 East North Central Census Division
 

December 2016 West North Central Census Division
 

December 2016 South Atlantic Census Division
 

December 2016 East South Central Census Division
 

December 2016 West South Central Census Division
 

December 2016 Mountain Census Division
 

December 2016 Pacific Census Division
 

*Census Division Three-Month Moving Average

The Index numbers for the census divisions are three-month moving averages to smooth out fluctuations due to smaller sample sizes. The reported Index number averages the current month with the two previous months.

 
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
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Address: 604 Avenue H East
Arlington, TX 76011

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