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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Services-Sector Growth May Have Slowed in December
“The services sector expanded for the 19th consecutive month in December. While shortages of labor and materials are continuing to restrain output and sustain upward pressure on prices, some data suggest some pressures may be starting to ease.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Weekly Initial Claims for Unemployment Benefits Remain Low as Labor Market Remains Tight
“Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits have stabilized at a low level while continuing claims reflect the end of emergency programs. The labor market remains very tight.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Unit Auto Sales Fell in December but Assemblies Rose in November
“Light-vehicle sales fell again in December, but assemblies rose in November. Record low inventories continue but in a possibly positive sign, prices ticked down.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Private-Sector Job Openings Fell in November but Quits Surged
“Job openings fell but quits surged to a record in November. Enticing people back into the workforce could help ease supply problems and reduce upward pressure on prices.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Manufacturing-sector Demand Remains Strong Amid Early Signs of Supply Chain Improvement
“Demand for manufactured goods remained strong in December. Production issues continue to restrain supply and sustain upward pressure prices, but there are early signs of progress on some issues.” ~ Robert Hughes
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New Single-Family Home Sales, Inventories, and Prices Rise in November
“New-home sales rose in November, but inventory also rose, and months’ supply remains relatively high. Rising prices, higher mortgage rates, and continued inventory build should lead to slower price increases.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Tech and Aircraft Push Durable-Goods Orders Higher in November
“New orders for durable goods rose, hitting the second-highest level on record while core capital-goods orders were just below a record high. Continued strength for business investment is a positive sign for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Weekly Initial Claims for Unemployment Benefits Hold at a Low Level
“Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits are holding at an extremely low level. Labor shortages are likely to continue to hamper production across the economy, sustaining upward pressure on prices.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Existing Home Sales Remained Strong in November Amid Tight Supply
“Existing-home sales rose in November and supply remains very tight. Shifting housing preferences are likely to continue to impact demand over coming months and quarters.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Consumer Confidence Ticked Up in December
“Consumer expectations improved in December, boosting overall consumer confidence. Continued expansion remains the likely course, but threats from waves of new Covid cases remain elevated.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Services-Sector Growth May Have Slowed in December
“The services sector expanded for the 19th consecutive month in December. While shortages of labor and materials are continuing to restrain output and sustain upward pressure on prices, some data suggest some pressures may be starting to ease.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims for Unemployment Benefits Remain Low as Labor Market Remains Tight
“Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits have stabilized at a low level while continuing claims reflect the end of emergency programs. The labor market remains very tight.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Unit Auto Sales Fell in December but Assemblies Rose in November
“Light-vehicle sales fell again in December, but assemblies rose in November. Record low inventories continue but in a possibly positive sign, prices ticked down.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Private-Sector Job Openings Fell in November but Quits Surged
“Job openings fell but quits surged to a record in November. Enticing people back into the workforce could help ease supply problems and reduce upward pressure on prices.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Manufacturing-sector Demand Remains Strong Amid Early Signs of Supply Chain Improvement
“Demand for manufactured goods remained strong in December. Production issues continue to restrain supply and sustain upward pressure prices, but there are early signs of progress on some issues.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
New Single-Family Home Sales, Inventories, and Prices Rise in November
“New-home sales rose in November, but inventory also rose, and months’ supply remains relatively high. Rising prices, higher mortgage rates, and continued inventory build should lead to slower price increases.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Tech and Aircraft Push Durable-Goods Orders Higher in November
“New orders for durable goods rose, hitting the second-highest level on record while core capital-goods orders were just below a record high. Continued strength for business investment is a positive sign for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims for Unemployment Benefits Hold at a Low Level
“Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits are holding at an extremely low level. Labor shortages are likely to continue to hamper production across the economy, sustaining upward pressure on prices.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Existing Home Sales Remained Strong in November Amid Tight Supply
“Existing-home sales rose in November and supply remains very tight. Shifting housing preferences are likely to continue to impact demand over coming months and quarters.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Consumer Confidence Ticked Up in December
“Consumer expectations improved in December, boosting overall consumer confidence. Continued expansion remains the likely course, but threats from waves of new Covid cases remain elevated.” ~ Robert Hughes