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.
-
•
Services-Sector Survey Suggests Continued Price Pressures and Perhaps Some Weakening in Demand
“Services-sector expansion continued in April, but labor and materials shortages are sustaining price pressures. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, lockdowns in China, and Fed tightening are threats to the economy.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Private-Sector Job Openings and Quits Hit New Highs in March
“Private-sector job openings and quits rose to new record highs in March. Labor difficulties, material shortages, and logistical issues as well as high inflation, a new Fed tightening cycle, and global economic disruptions are threatening the U.S. economy.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Recent Trends Continue in April Manufacturing-Sector Survey
“Recent trends in the manufacturing sector continued in April as demand remained robust but price pressures, labor and materials shortages, and logistical issues continue to be challenges. Recent events in Ukraine and China are compounding the difficulties.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Consumer Sentiment Ticked Up in April, but the Level Remains Low
“Consumer sentiment ended higher in April but remains consistent with prior recessions. Elevated risks are sustaining a high level of uncertainty for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weak Headline Masks Underlying Resilience in First Quarter GDP
“Weak headline GDP growth masks the resilience of private domestic demand. However, continued price pressures, a new Fed tightening cycle, the war in Ukraine, and upcoming elections are boosting risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims Ticked Lower and Remain Below the Pre-Pandemic Level
“Weekly initial claims continue to suggest a very tight labor market and is a support for consumers. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sustained elevated price increases, and a new Fed tightening cycle remain significant risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
New Single-Family Home Sales Fell Again in March as Prices and Mortgage Rates Continue to Rise
“New-home sales fell again in March as prices and mortgage rates continue to rise. Elevated prices and rising mortgage rates may further weaken demand, and combined with significant inventory, put downward pressure on prices.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Durable-goods Orders Posted a Broad-based Rebound in March
“Manufacturers’ new orders rebounded in March and remain near record highs. Continued strength for business investment is a positive sign for the economic outlook but risks remain elevated.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims Remain Below Pre-Pandemic Level for Eleventh Consecutive Week
“Low weekly initial claims suggest a very tight labor market and is a support for consumers. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sustained elevated price increases, and a new Fed tightening cycle are significant risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Existing Home Sales Fell Again as Prices Rise and Inventory Remains Very Low
“Existing-home sales fell again in March, but supply remains very tight. Shifting housing preferences, record-high prices, and surging mortgage rates are likely to impact demand over the coming months and quarters.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Services-Sector Survey Suggests Continued Price Pressures and Perhaps Some Weakening in Demand
“Services-sector expansion continued in April, but labor and materials shortages are sustaining price pressures. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, lockdowns in China, and Fed tightening are threats to the economy.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Private-Sector Job Openings and Quits Hit New Highs in March
“Private-sector job openings and quits rose to new record highs in March. Labor difficulties, material shortages, and logistical issues as well as high inflation, a new Fed tightening cycle, and global economic disruptions are threatening the U.S. economy.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Recent Trends Continue in April Manufacturing-Sector Survey
“Recent trends in the manufacturing sector continued in April as demand remained robust but price pressures, labor and materials shortages, and logistical issues continue to be challenges. Recent events in Ukraine and China are compounding the difficulties.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Consumer Sentiment Ticked Up in April, but the Level Remains Low
“Consumer sentiment ended higher in April but remains consistent with prior recessions. Elevated risks are sustaining a high level of uncertainty for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weak Headline Masks Underlying Resilience in First Quarter GDP
“Weak headline GDP growth masks the resilience of private domestic demand. However, continued price pressures, a new Fed tightening cycle, the war in Ukraine, and upcoming elections are boosting risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims Ticked Lower and Remain Below the Pre-Pandemic Level
“Weekly initial claims continue to suggest a very tight labor market and is a support for consumers. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sustained elevated price increases, and a new Fed tightening cycle remain significant risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
New Single-Family Home Sales Fell Again in March as Prices and Mortgage Rates Continue to Rise
“New-home sales fell again in March as prices and mortgage rates continue to rise. Elevated prices and rising mortgage rates may further weaken demand, and combined with significant inventory, put downward pressure on prices.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Durable-goods Orders Posted a Broad-based Rebound in March
“Manufacturers’ new orders rebounded in March and remain near record highs. Continued strength for business investment is a positive sign for the economic outlook but risks remain elevated.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims Remain Below Pre-Pandemic Level for Eleventh Consecutive Week
“Low weekly initial claims suggest a very tight labor market and is a support for consumers. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sustained elevated price increases, and a new Fed tightening cycle are significant risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Existing Home Sales Fell Again as Prices Rise and Inventory Remains Very Low
“Existing-home sales fell again in March, but supply remains very tight. Shifting housing preferences, record-high prices, and surging mortgage rates are likely to impact demand over the coming months and quarters.” ~ Robert Hughes