Strata-gee.com

Strategy in TECH...

You are here: Home / Archives for Economic Trends

Economic Trends

Consumers Say Health & Wellness is a Priority; Market to Hit $1 Trillion by 2025

by Leave a Comment

Consumers have a new passion for Health & Wellness

Even though consumers report rising financial insecurity as inflation rages on, the Fed keeps raising interest rates, and the economy begins to slow, they say they intend to continue to prioritize spending on health and wellness – a new priority since the onslaught of COVID-19 – according to new research from Accenture. This is potentially good news as more in the custom integration industry look to offer various residential health and wellness solutions as part of a whole-home residential or commercial installation.

See why consumers say health & wellness is a priority

[Read more…] about Consumers Say Health & Wellness is a Priority; Market to Hit $1 Trillion by 2025

July Sales of New Single-Family Homes Hit 6-1/2 Year Low; Prices Increase

by Leave a Comment

sales of new single-family homes photo

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly released the latest housing data this week showing that sales of new single-family homes in July hit their lowest level in 6½ years. While unit sales declined, both median and average prices continued to increase, making future home sales even more unaffordable.

See more details on new single-family home sales in July

[Read more…] about July Sales of New Single-Family Homes Hit 6-1/2 Year Low; Prices Increase

July Housing Starts Hit Lowest Level Since February 2021

by 1 Comment

housing starts measure new homes like this one being built

In the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, we learn that overall housing starts have hit their lowest level since February 2021 as climbing mortgage rates combined with still-high housing prices have made homes unaffordable for many Americans. The same report also notes that building permits have declined as well, suggesting housing will remain in decline for some time to come.

Learn more about housing starts during July

[Read more…] about July Housing Starts Hit Lowest Level Since February 2021

Index of Consumer Sentiment Bumps Up as Inflation Declines

by Leave a Comment

This past Friday, the University of Michigan released a preliminary reading of its Index of Consumer Sentiment for the month of August. This survey, one of the more widely followed readings by economists on how consumers are feeling, showed a small but meaningful jump as consumers are feeling a little better about the future. However, the overall results were a bit mixed.

Learn more about consumer sentiment rebounding from a trough

[Read more…] about Index of Consumer Sentiment Bumps Up as Inflation Declines

Stunning Data on Housing Market Clearly Shows Why It’s Declining

by Leave a Comment

home interior

Just Two Charts Tell the Story of the Housing Market

For some time now, I have been dutifully reporting on the – at first subtle…now as subtle as a Mac truck – changes taking place in the housing market, clearly in decline after a stunning runup during the 2020-2021 COVID period. Certain economic segments, including Tech in general and custom integration specifically, benefitted from the COVID period forcing consumers to huddle in their homes.

But now, things are changing, starting with the housing market…

[Read more…] about Stunning Data on Housing Market Clearly Shows Why It’s Declining

Housing: After a Bump in May, June New Home Sales Back to Downward Trend

by Leave a Comment

Photo of newly constructed home in housing

In the latest report from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, sales of newly constructed homes (new home sales) in June returned to their months-long downward trend after a brief bump up in May. Another sign of a housing market in decline, rising mortgage rates combined with rising home prices have thrown cold water on what had been a very hot housing market over the last year-and-a-half.

See more on new home sales in June, a key housing statistic

[Read more…] about Housing: After a Bump in May, June New Home Sales Back to Downward Trend

June Housing Starts Hit 9-Month Low; Single-Family Starts Lowest in 2 Years

by 2 Comments

June housing starts drop again
[PHOTO: REUTERS/Octavio Jones}

After a dramatic double-digit drop in May, June housing starts declined again, with overall starts not only dropping below May’s rate to a nine-month low but also coming in well below the rate in June 2021. Single-family starts in June hit their lowest seasonally adjusted annual rate since July 2020.

Learn all the latest data on June housing starts

[Read more…] about June Housing Starts Hit 9-Month Low; Single-Family Starts Lowest in 2 Years

Inflation Spiked 9.1% in June Exceeding Forecasts; Risk of Recession Grows

by Leave a Comment

Grocery shopper, groceries have seen big price increases

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced Wednesday that inflation in June came in at a surprising rate of 9.1%, clearly demonstrating that – in contrast to what many economists had hoped – inflation had not yet peaked in May. This news raises the risk of an approaching economic disruption…a recession.

Read more on this inflation reading

[Read more…] about Inflation Spiked 9.1% in June Exceeding Forecasts; Risk of Recession Grows

Housing Affordability Index Collapses to Lowest Level in 22 Years

by Leave a Comment

Latest news on the Housing Affordability Index

The latest data on home affordability from the National Realtors Association, tracked in its Housing Affordability Index, shows that housing is at its least affordable level in 22 years. And that’s not just for first-time buyers, but for home upgraders as well. Not only that, but new economic data suggests that this declining housing affordability will remain an issue for some time yet to come.

See the latest Housing Affordability Index data

[Read more…] about Housing Affordability Index Collapses to Lowest Level in 22 Years

Global Manufacturing Inventory Levels Hit a Record $1.8 Trillion

by 1 Comment

Record high manufacturing inventory levels could mean trouble
[Photo: Getty Images and AFP/Jiji]

Manufacturers Struggle with Multiple Global Challenges

A broad group of global manufacturers in diverse markets from Ford to Samsung have seen their inventory levels swell as consumer demand weakens in the wake of surging inflation and destabilizing economic conditions, according to a new analysis by the Nikkei. According to their research, global manufacturing inventories have swelled to $1.8 trillion, a record total that is the highest measured manufacturing inventory level in the last ten years.

Learn more about rising manufacturing inventory levels

[Read more…] about Global Manufacturing Inventory Levels Hit a Record $1.8 Trillion