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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Solid Third Quarter GDP Number Masks Pockets of Weakness
“Real GDP growth rebounded in the third quarter, but pockets of weakness are significant. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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New Single-Family Home Sales Fell in September
“New-home sales fell in September, and inventories rose again. Elevated prices and surging mortgage rates reduce affordability and are likely to weaken future demand.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Consumer Confidence Fell in October
“Consumer confidence fell in October as inflation expectations ticked up slightly. 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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Existing Home Sales Fall Again
“Existing-home sales fell again in September as reduced affordability pushes buyers out of the market. The outlook for housing is unfavorable.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Initial Claims Suggest Continued Strength for the Labor Market
“Weekly initial claims fell, and the low level suggests the labor market remains solid. Rapid price increases and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Single-Family Starts and Permits Continue to Fall as Mortgage Rates Rise
“Single-family housing starts and permits fell again in September as demand continued to weaken. Plunging homebuilder sentiment suggests an unfavorable outlook for housing.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Industrial Output Increases to a Record High in September
“The industrial sector grew in September, posting record output. However, elevated price pressures, weak consumer sentiment, and an aggressive Fed tightening cycle remain risks. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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AIER’s Everyday Price Index Falls for the Third Consecutive Month in September
“AIER’s Everyday Price Index fell 0.4 in September, driven by falling gasoline prices. An aggressive Fed tightening cycle, consumer pessimism, and fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine remain threats to the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Payroll Growth Continues, Labor Market Remains Solid
“Payrolls posted gains in September, but the pace has been 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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•
Initial Claims Rise but Remain Low
“Weekly initial claims rose, but the low level suggests the labor market remains solid. Rapid price increases and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Solid Third Quarter GDP Number Masks Pockets of Weakness
“Real GDP growth rebounded in the third quarter, but pockets of weakness are significant. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
New Single-Family Home Sales Fell in September
“New-home sales fell in September, and inventories rose again. Elevated prices and surging mortgage rates reduce affordability and are likely to weaken future demand.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Consumer Confidence Fell in October
“Consumer confidence fell in October as inflation expectations ticked up slightly. 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
-
•
Existing Home Sales Fall Again
“Existing-home sales fell again in September as reduced affordability pushes buyers out of the market. The outlook for housing is unfavorable.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Initial Claims Suggest Continued Strength for the Labor Market
“Weekly initial claims fell, and the low level suggests the labor market remains solid. Rapid price increases and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Single-Family Starts and Permits Continue to Fall as Mortgage Rates Rise
“Single-family housing starts and permits fell again in September as demand continued to weaken. Plunging homebuilder sentiment suggests an unfavorable outlook for housing.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Industrial Output Increases to a Record High in September
“The industrial sector grew in September, posting record output. However, elevated price pressures, weak consumer sentiment, and an aggressive Fed tightening cycle remain risks. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
AIER’s Everyday Price Index Falls for the Third Consecutive Month in September
“AIER’s Everyday Price Index fell 0.4 in September, driven by falling gasoline prices. An aggressive Fed tightening cycle, consumer pessimism, and fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine remain threats to the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Payroll Growth Continues, Labor Market Remains Solid
“Payrolls posted gains in September, but the pace has been slowing. Mixed signs for the labor market, sustained price pressures, and an aggressive Fed tightening cycle remain risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Initial Claims Rise but Remain Low
“Weekly initial claims rose, but the low level suggests the labor market remains solid. Rapid price increases and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes