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The article focuses on stock market prices in the wake of improvements in economic indicators and credit markets in 2009. It states that economic indicators and credit markets are returning to the level they were at before Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy in September of 2009. It mentions the Dow Jones Industrial Average has rallied 42 percent since March 9, 2009, but is still down almost 34 percent from September 12, 2009. It suggests lower corporate profits are keeping stock prices down.

This article reports that stock traders are concerned about the closing of stock and commodities markets on Good Friday 2010 because it is a day that bonds can be traded, and it is also the day that the government releases its jobs report for March.

The article discusses why economic indicators to be released during the first week of January, 2010 aren't necessarily reliable guides to the state of the U.S. economy. During that period figures for both manufacturing activity and unemployment are scheduled to be disclosed. However, manufacturing data are likely to be skewed by activity in the automobile industry, while too much uncertainty surrounds employment.

The article examines U.S. economic conditions. Retail trade statistics for October-November, 2009 indicate that consumption will continue to be steady or decline slightly as consumers remain reluctant to spend. This in turn is expected to keep the rate of inflation low. The implications of the December, 2009 consumer confidence index of the University of Michigan are considered.

The article discusses an index for inventories of manufactured goods maintained by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Thus far the ISM index has not reflected expectations that inventory reductions prompted by an economic recession in the U.S. would be reversed. Data compiled by the U.S. Commerce Department suggest that inventory levels remain at high levels relative to demand.

The article presents economic forecasting for the U.S. and stock price forecasting. Economic indicators are cited to suggest that recovery from the 2008-2009 recession will be far less robust than from previous recessions. Although this means the Federal Reserve Board will continue easy monetary policy, stock prices will be unlikely to increase if economic growth remains slow in 2010.

The article discusses an index of manufacturing activity maintained by the Institute for Supply Management. Economists expect results to be released October 1, 2009 will show that the U.S. manufacturing sector continues to gain strength. However, Paul Dales of Capital Economics warns that the index has overstated overall economic growth in the past.

The article discusses U.S. economic indicators and presents economic forecasting for the second half of 2009. A revised estimate of gross domestic product for the second quarter is expected to show little change from the original report of a 1 percent decline. Most economists forecast a 3 percent or more increase in gross domestic product for the third quarter, followed by a smaller increase in the fourth.

The article discusses U.S. economic conditions. The Bureau of the Census's report on durable goods orders for August, 2009 is expected to show an increase. This is part of a trend of overall improvement for U.S. manufactures. The relatively low amount of corporate debt, especially short-term commercial paper, indicates that continuing improvement in the overall economy will be limited.

The article examines the U.S. housing market. Two housing surveys to be released on September 24-25, 2009 are forecast to report increased sales of both new and existing homes in August, 2009. Economic indicators which suggest that any recovery in the housing market is likely to be tentative, including the unemployment rate and the large inventory of houses for sale in the U.S., are discussed.

The article discusses the U.S. housing market. A Census Bureau report on new house construction starts for August, 2009 is expected to show an increase over totals for June, 2009 of 3.3 percent. An end to the decline in house construction that followed the collapse of the real estate bubble could significantly add to growth of U.S. gross domestic product.

The article discusses U.S. employment and its effect on stock prices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will present its August employment report on September 4, 2009, and most economists forecast continued job losses. Other economic indicators such as manufactures have improved in the summer of 2009. It is forecast that continued weakness in employment would end the 2009 stock price rally.

The article discusses U.S. manufactures. The Institute of Supply Management will release its index of manufacturing activity for August, 2009 on August 31. Economists believe the index will show a small increase in manufacturing activity, the first such increase in the index since January, 2009. Such a report would be another sign that the recession has halted.

The article discusses the Case-Shiller index of U.S. home prices. In May of 2009 the index recorded its first gain in three years, and updated figures to be released in August of that year are expected to show the the rate of decline in home prices is slowing. However, Ivy Zelman of Zelman & Associates notes that anticipated declines in the prices of more expensive homes could exert downward pressure on the index.

The article discusses potential market-moving news for the week of July 26, 2009. Although almost 30% of firms in the Standard & Poor's 500 will issue quarterly results, these could be overshadowed by a raft of economic statistics including those on new-home sales, consumer confidence, and orders for durable goods.

The article discusses an index on U.S. manufacturing activity due from the Institute for Supply Management on July 1, 2009. Expectations are that the index will reflect improvement over the prior month's reading. Data on inventories, though, suggest relatively high levels that must be worked down before manufacturing can experience strong growth.

The article discusses home sales in the U.S. Although the median sale price for existing homes has begun to decline at a slower rate, the figures largely reflect sales of low-priced houses. As foreclosures begin to afflict more upscale properties, median sale prices could rise even as the housing market continues to struggle.

The article discusses commodity prices. Oil futures have more than doubled since December, 2008, while an index that is seen as a leading indicator of commodity demand has risen six-fold in that time. Even if an economic recovery proves anemic, excess global liquidity and ongoing purchases by China could help keep commodity prices high.

The article discusses an index on manufacturing activity in the U.S. to be released in June, 2009 by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Economists expect a reading consistent with an economy that is no longer shrinking. However, the ISM's index has an erratic record of predicting economic recoveries.

The article discusses data on inventories in the U.S. from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Figures for March, 2009 showed that inventories fell to their lowest levels in over 26 years. Although that might suggest manufacturing should soon increase to replenish depleted inventories, ISM data also indicate purchasing managers believe inventories are still excessive.

The article compares stock prices and stock trading in November, 2008 and March, 2009. Each month saw a strong rally in prices, with the Standard & Poor's 500 index rising 20 percent. The market gave back all its gains and more from the earlier rally. While some economic indicators showed improvement in March, it is unlikely corporations will report increased profits for the first quarter of 2009, which could end the March rally as well.

The article discusses an index of U.S. manufacturing activity to be released April 1, 2009 by the Institute for Supply Management. Although expectations are for little improvement over the prior month's poor reading, for two consecutive months it has proven stronger than expected. Jason Todd of Morgan Stanley believes another relatively robust result could augur well for stocks.

The article discusses various signs of economic weakness. An index of manufacturing activity to be released by the Institute for Supply Management on March 3, 2009 is expected to show continued deterioration. The Baltic Dry Index, a measure of global shipping costs, does not signal improving conditions.

The article examines U.S. housing prices and home sales. An end to the continued fall of housing prices is seen as a necessity for ending the recession, but housing indexes for January, 2009 are expected to show continued declines in both prices and house construction due to the huge inventory of unsold houses left by the collapse of the real estate bubble.

The article examines economic indicators on inflation released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau's producer-price index for January, 2009 showed a surprisingly large increase. Economists state that the bureau does not seasonally adjust its price indexes for January, and predict low rates of inflation in 2009.

The article evaluates the report for U.S. international trade in December, 2008 to be released by the Commerce Department on January 11, 2009. The balance of trade deficit is expected to shrink for the second consecutive month. This would ordinarily be considered good news for the economy, but the decline is due to the overall fall in demand created by the global recession. U.S. exports are forecast to fall as well as imports.

The article discusses modestly hopeful signs for the U.S. economy. Two manufacturing reports issued the week of January 11, 2008 showed continued deterioration in the sector, albeit at a reduced pace. Similar can be said for an index of economic indicators produced by the Economic Cycle Research Institute.

The article examines the economic indicator on U.S. international trade. November, 2008 figures on trade are to be released by the Census Bureau on January 13, 2009. A decline in the trade deficit is expected. This would ordinarily mean an increase in the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) measuring overall economic growth, but the decline in the deficit reflects both a fall in imports and exports due to the recession, meaning GDP will shrink, not expand.

The article examines the index of manufacturing activity for December, 2008 issued by the Institute for Supply Management. The figure will be released on January 2, 2009, making it the first economic indicator of that year. The report is considered a reliable indicator of trends in the overall economy, and is expected to show the effects of a severe recession.

The article discusses economic conditions in the U.S. A report to be issued by the Federal Reserve on December 3, 2008 could show continued weakness in credit and labor markets. An index of leading economic indicators maintained by the Economic Cycle Research Institute (ECRI) is trending downward. Lakshman Achuthan of ECRI sees little sign of a recovery any time soon.

The article discusses indications of a slowdown in consumer spending in the U.S. Consumer confidence has been low and will likely go lower in the aftermath of a stock market crash on September 29, 2008. Data from the Commerce Department show that consumer spending showed no growth for August, 2008.

The article focuses on the financial index the Baltic Dry Index, a measurement of the cost of shipping raw materials. The index has been extremely volatile in 2007-2008, but has entered a recent downturn. Analysts state that the index is a useful measurement of the demand for raw materials imports in China.

The article evaluates economic statistics on the U.S. labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will issue its report on employment for June, 2008 on July 3, 2008. The survey is expected to show a decline in the number of workers. It is noted that labor market weakness means workers with jobs are less able to gain raises.

The article evaluates the U.S. economic indicator, household net worth. Data on this indicator for the first quarter of 2008 will be released June 5, 2008 by the Federal Reserve Board. Household net worth fell for the first time since 2002 in the last quarter of 2007 due to the collapse of the housing bubble. It is expected to show another decline in the first quarter of 2008.

The article reports that U.S. stock prices fell sharply in reaction to investors' anxieties about renewed inflation in the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.5 percent, its largest one day drop since May 7, 2008. Inflation fears were generated by another record high for petroleum futures of $129 a barrel, and the Department of Labor's announcement of an 0.4 percent rise in its producer price index for April, 2008.

The article evaluates as economic indicator, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board report on industrial production for April, 2008, which will be released on May 15, 2008. It is expected to show a slight decline, another sign the U.S. economy is not quite in recession. Industrial production has slowed but remained relatively strong thanks to strong demand for U.S. exports.

The article evaluates the U.S. balance of payments figures for March, 2008 to be released by the Commerce Department on May 9, 2008. The trade deficit has been shrinking due to reduced demand for imports and a growth in exports helped by the decline in the dollar. Economic weakness in Europe and Japan, however, could end this promising trend for the U.S. economy.

The article evaluates U.S. economic conditions. Economic indicators for March-April, 2008 present a picture of an economy stuck in limbo, too weak to generate growth, but not so weak as to be actually contracting. This makes economic policy making far more difficult, and leaves the economy vulnerable to an unexpected outside shock.

The article reports that U.S stock prices rose modestly despite some discouraging economic reports. Another rise in the price of oil and a poor University of Michigan consumer confidence report for April, 2008 did not prevent the Dow Jones Industrial Average from finishing with a gain of 0.3 percent.

The article evaluates forecasts for the March, 2008 report on durable goods orders to be issued by the U.S. Commerce Department on April 24, 2008. Most economists expect a modest rise after orders fell in both January and February. Business spending, however robust, accounts for 12 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, not enough to prevent a recession.

The article focuses on an economic indicator created by the payroll processing firm Automatic Data Processing. The company reports weekly employment statistics for the U.S. based on the payroll numbers it receives from its clients. The numbers have consistently shown stronger employment numbers than those issued by the Labor Department.

The article examines whether U.S. economic indicators show that the country is in or nearing a recession. The statistics are mixed. Several figures, such as weekly unemployment claims, and the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index remain above levels historically associated with recessions. Others, such as payroll growth and consumer confidence, indicate a recession is already taking place.

The article focuses on factors, including a U.S. dollar whose value is increasing, and slow U.S. growth which could put export demand in jeopardy, which could lead to a lower gross domestic product in the U.S. in 2008. A discussion of the impact slowed growth in the U.S. could have on the economies of foreign countries is presented.

The article reports on disagreement in the U.S. financial sector over the future of the U.S. economy and the impact it will have on the U.S. stock market. A discussion of problems and economic indicators which analysts feel will effect the market and economy, including a weak dollar and a poor housing market in the U.S., is presented.