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.
-
•
Americans Are Increasing Their Credit Usage
Amid some conflicting economic signals, Americans are still showing an increasing willingness to expand their credit use. This may be a sign that despite flagging business investment and moderate growth in the jobs market, consumers remain confident in their personal financial situations.
-
•
Labor Market Continues to Tighten
These data suggest the labor market may be quite tight. This would also suggest support for better wage growth, as employers bid up wages to lure the best candidates to fill open jobs.
-
•
Manufacturing Sector Took a Turn for the Worse in August
Yesterday we noted the weaker reading from the Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index data on manufacturing activity in the Chicago area. This tends to foreshadow the state of the national manufacturing sector. The Chicago report turned out to be a good predictor of the national manufacturing index released today by the Institute for Supply Management.
-
•
A Positive Sign for Manufacturers
The Commerce Department report on manufacturers’ new orders for durable goods showed a strong gain in July, the best month since January (Chart 1). Orders for durable goods jumped 4.4 percent following a 4.2 percent decline in June.
-
•
Jobs Provide Foundation for Consumer Spending
Over the last week we’ve received a clearer picture of a labor market that remains healthy.
-
•
Factory Orders for Durable Goods Remain Sluggish
While the jobs market and consumer spending have showed renewed strength recently, the nation’s manufacturers continue to struggle.
-
•
Americans Are Increasing Their Credit Usage
Amid some conflicting economic signals, Americans are still showing an increasing willingness to expand their credit use. This may be a sign that despite flagging business investment and moderate growth in the jobs market, consumers remain confident in their personal financial situations.
-
•
Labor Market Continues to Tighten
These data suggest the labor market may be quite tight. This would also suggest support for better wage growth, as employers bid up wages to lure the best candidates to fill open jobs.
-
•
Manufacturing Sector Took a Turn for the Worse in August
Yesterday we noted the weaker reading from the Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index data on manufacturing activity in the Chicago area. This tends to foreshadow the state of the national manufacturing sector. The Chicago report turned out to be a good predictor of the national manufacturing index released today by the Institute for Supply Management.
-
•
A Positive Sign for Manufacturers
The Commerce Department report on manufacturers’ new orders for durable goods showed a strong gain in July, the best month since January (Chart 1). Orders for durable goods jumped 4.4 percent following a 4.2 percent decline in June.
-
•
Jobs Provide Foundation for Consumer Spending
Over the last week we’ve received a clearer picture of a labor market that remains healthy.
-
•
Factory Orders for Durable Goods Remain Sluggish
While the jobs market and consumer spending have showed renewed strength recently, the nation’s manufacturers continue to struggle.