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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Consumer Sentiment Improved in Early December but Remains Weak
“Consumer sentiment improved in December but remains at recessionary levels. Inflation expectations ticked down, and long-run expectations remain well anchored.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Consumer Debt Growth is Accelerating
“Consumer credit rose in October, and the growth rate is accelerating. Consumer balance sheets are in good shape, but the combination of rising debt levels and rising interest rates could be a problem down the road.” – Robert Hughes
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Average Weekly Initial Claims Hits the Highest Level Since September
“Rising weekly initial claims and increasing job cut announcements may signal some labor market softening. Rapid consumer price increases and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Unit Auto Sales Fell in November
“Light-vehicle sales fell in November following a rise in inventory and drop in prices in October.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Payroll Gains Beat Expectations, but the Pace Is Slowing
“Payrolls gains beat expectations in November, but the pace appears to be slowing. Mixed signs for the labor market, sustained price pressures, and an aggressive Fed tightening cycle remain risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Manufacturing-Sector Contracts in November
“The latest manufacturing survey suggests broadening weakness and falling price pressures for manufacturers. The outlook remains highly uncertain. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Weekly Initial Claims Continue to Trend Higher
“Weekly initial claims fell, but the rising trend in the four-week average and increasing job cut announcements are a warning. Rapid price increases and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Private-Sector Job Openings Remain High Despite Falling in October
“Private-sector job openings fell in October but remain high, suggesting continued resilience. However, the outlook remains highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Third Quarter GDP Revised Higher but Pockets of Weakness Persist
“Headline real GDP growth was revised higher in the third quarter, but domestic demand remained weak. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Consumer Expectations Remained at Recessionary Levels in November
“Consumer confidence fell again in November with consumer expectations at recessionary levels. An aggressive Fed tightening cycle, elevated price pressures, and the fallout from the Russian war in Ukraine remain risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Consumer Sentiment Improved in Early December but Remains Weak
“Consumer sentiment improved in December but remains at recessionary levels. Inflation expectations ticked down, and long-run expectations remain well anchored.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Consumer Debt Growth is Accelerating
“Consumer credit rose in October, and the growth rate is accelerating. Consumer balance sheets are in good shape, but the combination of rising debt levels and rising interest rates could be a problem down the road.” – Robert Hughes
-
•
Average Weekly Initial Claims Hits the Highest Level Since September
“Rising weekly initial claims and increasing job cut announcements may signal some labor market softening. Rapid consumer price increases and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Unit Auto Sales Fell in November
“Light-vehicle sales fell in November following a rise in inventory and drop in prices in October.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Payroll Gains Beat Expectations, but the Pace Is Slowing
“Payrolls gains beat expectations in November, but the pace appears to be slowing. Mixed signs for the labor market, sustained price pressures, and an aggressive Fed tightening cycle remain risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Manufacturing-Sector Contracts in November
“The latest manufacturing survey suggests broadening weakness and falling price pressures for manufacturers. The outlook remains highly uncertain. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims Continue to Trend Higher
“Weekly initial claims fell, but the rising trend in the four-week average and increasing job cut announcements are a warning. Rapid price increases and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Private-Sector Job Openings Remain High Despite Falling in October
“Private-sector job openings fell in October but remain high, suggesting continued resilience. However, the outlook remains highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Third Quarter GDP Revised Higher but Pockets of Weakness Persist
“Headline real GDP growth was revised higher in the third quarter, but domestic demand remained weak. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Consumer Expectations Remained at Recessionary Levels in November
“Consumer confidence fell again in November with consumer expectations at recessionary levels. An aggressive Fed tightening cycle, elevated price pressures, and the fallout from the Russian war in Ukraine remain risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes