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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Retail Spending Hits a New Record High in October
“Retail sales rose in October, hitting a new record high. Resilient consumer spending is a positive for the outlook but also sustains upward pressure on prices.” – Robert Hughes
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Job Openings Fell Again in September but Remain Very High
“Job openings fell back slightly but remain very high as quits continue to surge. Overall, the outlook is for economic growth, but headwinds remain.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Consumer Sentiment Fell in Early November as Inflation Fears Grow and Partisan Divides Deepen
“Consumer sentiment fell in early November as consumers react to rising prices for many consumer goods and divisions along political lines regarding economic policies. Both are negative developments for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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AIER’s Everyday Price Index Jumps 1.2 Percent in October
“AIER’s Everyday Price Index posted its eleventh consecutive increase in October on widespread gains. Price pressures remain elevated due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. As these effects fade, price pressures are likely to ease.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Weekly Initial Claims for Unemployment Continue to Trend Lower
“Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits continue to fall, hitting the lowest level of the recovery. The tight labor market and strong demand will likely keep claims at low levels.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Payrolls Gains Reaccelerated in October
“Payrolls posted a robust gain in October as fading new Covid cases supported a reacceleration of economic activity. The outlook is for continued recovery despite elevated price pressures.” – Robert Hughes
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•
Weekly Initial Claims for Unemployment Benefits Fall Again
“Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits fell again, hitting the lowest level of the recovery. The tight labor market and strong demand will likely keep claims at low levels.” – Robert Hughes
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•
Demand Remained Strong for the Manufacturing Sector in October
“Demand for manufactured goods remained very strong in October. However, labor difficulties, materials shortages, and logistical issues continue to restrain supply and pressure prices.” – Robert Hughes
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•
Fading Covid Boosts Consumer Confidence in October
“Consumer attitudes recovered slightly as new Covid cases decline, supporting a more positive economic outlook. However, the psychology of rising inflation expectations remains a threat.” – Robert Hughes
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•
Core Capital-Goods Orders Suggest Business Investment Remains Robust
“New orders for core capital goods rose again, hitting another new high. Continued strength for business investment is a positive sign for the economic outlook.” – Robert Hughes
-
•
Retail Spending Hits a New Record High in October
“Retail sales rose in October, hitting a new record high. Resilient consumer spending is a positive for the outlook but also sustains upward pressure on prices.” – Robert Hughes
-
•
Job Openings Fell Again in September but Remain Very High
“Job openings fell back slightly but remain very high as quits continue to surge. Overall, the outlook is for economic growth, but headwinds remain.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Consumer Sentiment Fell in Early November as Inflation Fears Grow and Partisan Divides Deepen
“Consumer sentiment fell in early November as consumers react to rising prices for many consumer goods and divisions along political lines regarding economic policies. Both are negative developments for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
AIER’s Everyday Price Index Jumps 1.2 Percent in October
“AIER’s Everyday Price Index posted its eleventh consecutive increase in October on widespread gains. Price pressures remain elevated due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. As these effects fade, price pressures are likely to ease.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims for Unemployment Continue to Trend Lower
“Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits continue to fall, hitting the lowest level of the recovery. The tight labor market and strong demand will likely keep claims at low levels.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Payrolls Gains Reaccelerated in October
“Payrolls posted a robust gain in October as fading new Covid cases supported a reacceleration of economic activity. The outlook is for continued recovery despite elevated price pressures.” – Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims for Unemployment Benefits Fall Again
“Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits fell again, hitting the lowest level of the recovery. The tight labor market and strong demand will likely keep claims at low levels.” – Robert Hughes
-
•
Demand Remained Strong for the Manufacturing Sector in October
“Demand for manufactured goods remained very strong in October. However, labor difficulties, materials shortages, and logistical issues continue to restrain supply and pressure prices.” – Robert Hughes
-
•
Fading Covid Boosts Consumer Confidence in October
“Consumer attitudes recovered slightly as new Covid cases decline, supporting a more positive economic outlook. However, the psychology of rising inflation expectations remains a threat.” – Robert Hughes
-
•
Core Capital-Goods Orders Suggest Business Investment Remains Robust
“New orders for core capital goods rose again, hitting another new high. Continued strength for business investment is a positive sign for the economic outlook.” – Robert Hughes