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 August but Remains Low
“Consumer sentiment improved in August but remains very low. Inflation expectations eased but uncertainty increased. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Revised Real GDP Posts Smaller Decline, Real Private Domestic Demand Increases
“Revised real GDP posted a smaller decline in the second quarter, and real private domestic demand posted a gain. Persistently elevated rates of price increases, Fed tightening, and the war in Ukraine remain risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Weekly Initial Claims Post Small Drop
“Weekly initial claims fell, suggesting the recent upward trend may be flattening. Rapid price increases, low consumer confidence, and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Real Durable-goods Orders Fell in July
“Real manufacturers’ new orders trend growth remains weak. Rising prices, Fed policy tightening, and global turmoil sustain elevated risks.” ~ Robert Hughes
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New Single-Family Home Sales Continue to Plunge
“New-home sales fell again in July, and inventories continued to surge. Elevated prices and mortgage rates reduce affordability and are likely to weaken future demand.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Existing Home Sales Continue to Collapse
“Existing-home sales fell again in July as reduced affordability pushes buyers out of the market. The outlook for housing is highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Weekly Initial Claims Move to a Flat Trend
“Weekly initial claims fell, and revised data suggest the recent upward trend may be flattening. Rapid price increases, low consumer confidence, and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Nominal and Real Core Retail Sales Increase in July
“Real core retail sales rose in July, and the recent trend is modestly higher. However, threats to the economy remain significant. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Industrial Output Posts Solid Gains in July
“Industrial output rose to a record high in July. However, elevated price pressures, weak consumer sentiment, and an intensifying Fed tightening cycle remain risks. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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Single-Family Starts and Permits Fell Again in July
“Single-family housing starts and permits fell in July as demand continued to weaken. Plunging homebuilder sentiment suggests an unfavorable outlook for housing.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Consumer Sentiment Improved in August but Remains Low
“Consumer sentiment improved in August but remains very low. Inflation expectations eased but uncertainty increased. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Revised Real GDP Posts Smaller Decline, Real Private Domestic Demand Increases
“Revised real GDP posted a smaller decline in the second quarter, and real private domestic demand posted a gain. Persistently elevated rates of price increases, Fed tightening, and the war in Ukraine remain risks to the outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Weekly Initial Claims Post Small Drop
“Weekly initial claims fell, suggesting the recent upward trend may be flattening. Rapid price increases, low consumer confidence, and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Real Durable-goods Orders Fell in July
“Real manufacturers’ new orders trend growth remains weak. Rising prices, Fed policy tightening, and global turmoil sustain elevated risks.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
New Single-Family Home Sales Continue to Plunge
“New-home sales fell again in July, and inventories continued to surge. Elevated prices and mortgage rates reduce affordability and are likely to weaken future demand.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Existing Home Sales Continue to Collapse
“Existing-home sales fell again in July as reduced affordability pushes buyers out of the market. The outlook for housing is highly uncertain.” ~ Robert Hughes
-
•
Weekly Initial Claims Move to a Flat Trend
“Weekly initial claims fell, and revised data suggest the recent upward trend may be flattening. Rapid price increases, low consumer confidence, and aggressive Fed tightening remain major risks for the economic outlook.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Nominal and Real Core Retail Sales Increase in July
“Real core retail sales rose in July, and the recent trend is modestly higher. However, threats to the economy remain significant. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Industrial Output Posts Solid Gains in July
“Industrial output rose to a record high in July. However, elevated price pressures, weak consumer sentiment, and an intensifying Fed tightening cycle remain risks. Caution is warranted.” ~ Robert Hughes
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•
Single-Family Starts and Permits Fell Again in July
“Single-family housing starts and permits fell in July as demand continued to weaken. Plunging homebuilder sentiment suggests an unfavorable outlook for housing.” ~ Robert Hughes