Robert Hughes
Senior Research Faculty
Robert Hughes joined AIER in 2013 following more than 25 years in economic and financial markets research on Wall Street. Bob was formerly the head of Global Equity Strategy for Brown Brothers Harriman, where he developed equity investment strategy combining top-down macro analysis with bottom-up fundamentals. Prior to BBH, Bob was a Senior Equity Strategist for State Street Global Markets, Senior Economic Strategist with Prudential Equity Group and Senior Economist and Financial Markets Analyst for Citicorp Investment Services. Bob has a MA in economics from Fordham University and a BS in business from Lehigh University.
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Real Retail Sales Decline for the Third Time in Four Months
“Real retail sales fell in June and the recent trend is essentially flat. Threats to the economy are intensifying. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Weekly Initial Claims Rise to the Highest Level Since November
“Weekly initial claims rose again, pushing the four-week average to a seven-month high. The combination of sustained elevated rates of price increases and softening labor market are becoming a major risk for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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AIER’s Everyday Price Index Rises 2.4 Percent in June
“AIER’s Everyday Price Index rose 2.4 in June, pushing the 12-month gain to another record high. Sustained price pressures, an intensifying Fed tightening cycle, and fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine remain threats to the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Private Payrolls Growth Stayed Strong in June
“Payroll gains remained solid in June, though there are mounting signs of easing in the labor market. Sustained price pressures, an intensifying Fed tightening cycle, and ongoing fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine are significant risks for the economy.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Average Weekly Initial Claims Rise Again
“Weekly initial claims rose pushing the four-week average higher again. The combination of sustained elevated rates of price increases and softening labor market are becoming a major risk for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Private-Sector Job Openings and Quits Fall for a Second Consecutive Month
“Private-sector job openings and quits fell in May. The effects of rising interest rates and consumer caution are becoming more apparent. The outlook remains highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Services-Sector Survey Suggests Continued Expansion in June
“Services-sector expansion continued in June despite ongoing labor and materials shortages and intense price pressures. Some notes of caution were also starting to emerge. The outlook remains highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Unit Auto Sales Rose in June, but Remain Weak
“Light-vehicle sales rose in June but remain well below pre-pandemic ranges. Assemblies fell in May as component shortages continue to restrain production. Inventory shows signs of stabilization recently, but prices continued to rise.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Manufacturing-Sector Survey Suggests Slowing Growth and Slightly Fewer Price Pressures
“The latest manufacturing survey suggests supply and demand may be moving closer to balance. However, persistently elevated price increases and an intensifying Fed policy tightening cycle remain risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Real Disposable Income and Real Consumer Spending Fell in May
“Personal income rose in May, but real disposable income and real consumer spending fell. The outlook for the economy remains highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Real Retail Sales Decline for the Third Time in Four Months
“Real retail sales fell in June and the recent trend is essentially flat. Threats to the economy are intensifying. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims Rise to the Highest Level Since November
“Weekly initial claims rose again, pushing the four-week average to a seven-month high. The combination of sustained elevated rates of price increases and softening labor market are becoming a major risk for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
AIER’s Everyday Price Index Rises 2.4 Percent in June
“AIER’s Everyday Price Index rose 2.4 in June, pushing the 12-month gain to another record high. Sustained price pressures, an intensifying Fed tightening cycle, and fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine remain threats to the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Private Payrolls Growth Stayed Strong in June
“Payroll gains remained solid in June, though there are mounting signs of easing in the labor market. Sustained price pressures, an intensifying Fed tightening cycle, and ongoing fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine are significant risks for the economy.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Average Weekly Initial Claims Rise Again
“Weekly initial claims rose pushing the four-week average higher again. The combination of sustained elevated rates of price increases and softening labor market are becoming a major risk for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Private-Sector Job Openings and Quits Fall for a Second Consecutive Month
“Private-sector job openings and quits fell in May. The effects of rising interest rates and consumer caution are becoming more apparent. The outlook remains highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Services-Sector Survey Suggests Continued Expansion in June
“Services-sector expansion continued in June despite ongoing labor and materials shortages and intense price pressures. Some notes of caution were also starting to emerge. The outlook remains highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Unit Auto Sales Rose in June, but Remain Weak
“Light-vehicle sales rose in June but remain well below pre-pandemic ranges. Assemblies fell in May as component shortages continue to restrain production. Inventory shows signs of stabilization recently, but prices continued to rise.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Manufacturing-Sector Survey Suggests Slowing Growth and Slightly Fewer Price Pressures
“The latest manufacturing survey suggests supply and demand may be moving closer to balance. However, persistently elevated price increases and an intensifying Fed policy tightening cycle remain risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Real Disposable Income and Real Consumer Spending Fell in May
“Personal income rose in May, but real disposable income and real consumer spending fell. The outlook for the economy remains highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes