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Three More Charts to Show the "Doom-and-Gloomers"By
Thursday, March 27, 2014
If you're still worrying about the economy... it's time to stop.
Longtime readers know I follow a vast set of "common sense" economic indicators and talk with everyone from cabbies to corporate presidents. I also carefully look at data and statistics to make sure there are no signs of trouble ahead...
Last August, I shared three simple charts that showed things were headed in the right direction...
And in today's essay, I'm going to share a few more signs that our economy is recovering, albeit slowly... chugging along with small improvements here and there.
First, the data say consumers are increasing both their saving and borrowing. These are good signs.
The personal U.S. savings rate is 4.3%. Personally, I believe that's too low of a savings rate for anyone looking to secure his or her future. But it's above the savings rate Americans maintained for most of the 2000s.
Americans have also decided to borrow more on credit cards...
The growth rate of credit borrowing has also swung back into positive territory after going negative during the recession. While going into debt isn't a good personal decision, it shows the average American is spending again. If this rate were to drastically outpace inflation, it would indicate reckless spending. But at these levels, it's a good sign.
Next, on the big purchases, the average American is deciding to buy things. Automobile sales hit 15 million in February and they keep rising. Spending on durable goods – big things like appliances, furniture, and electronics — also keeps chugging along.
 We can also see businesses are optimistic about the future of the economy...
A neighbor of mine in Augusta is an architect. He recently told me his business is approaching the levels it was at before the recession. And the data back him up...
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is a leading indicator that provides a picture of nonresidential construction activity for the next nine to 12 months.
As you can see in the chart below, we've seen a steady uptrend here since 2009. And right now, the data confirm that we're approaching the levels we saw before the crisis. Again, this is a great sign for the economy as a whole. It means businesses are investing in expansion and growth. And that's mainly driven by the uptick in consumer spending...
 We can also see confirmation of this consumer-driven business growth by looking at sales and inventories...
Inventory levels cycle up and down with economic times. When business owners are optimistic about the near future, they'll stock up on inventory. Right now, that's what we're seeing. The inventory-to-sales ratio shows businesses deciding to add goods to their shelves and storerooms.
By looking at total private-business sales, we can see that inventories are rising by choice, not because people aren't buying. With sales and inventory rising, it suggests that management has made a conscious decision to prepare for better times ahead.
 I'm not going to claim that the U.S. economy is in amazing shape...
But there is no doubt that it has been improving steadily for nearly four years now with few missteps along the way.
Anyone who says otherwise is looking at something other than the factual data the economy is giving us.
Recessions come in different forms. Some are caused by what we'd call "economic shocks." These are outside influences that can't be predicted, like the oil crisis of the 1970s. Others result from natural ebbs in the business cycle.
Economic shocks are unpredictable. We always face the risk of something unforeseen knocking the economy off course. But I feel confident making this prediction... The risk of the U.S. economy "backsliding" into a recession is extremely low.
Based purely on economic factors, everything is steadily improving and generating the sort of momentum that allows the economy to sustain itself.
Each of us only has so much energy for worrying, and it takes a toll on our health. If you've been afraid the economy was still bad, cross those worries off your list.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig
Further Reading:
Get more common-sense "armchair economist" notes from Doc right here:
If You're Worried About Rising Interest Rates, Look at This Chart
This 40-year chart shows what has happened to the stock market every time the Fed raised interest rates... What's Going on With Inflation Today... and What to Do About It
I'm as skeptical of the government as the next guy. But we have to deal with the current facts... Two Charts to Ease Your Mind
Despite questionable U.S. government policies, things are slowly getting better... Market NotesANOTHER SIGN OF THE WORLDWIDE OIL BOOM... Yesterday, we showed you that high oil prices were creating a boom in oil-services stocks like Halliburton.
We told you why these "picks and shovels" businesses were a great way to invest in an oil boom. Today, we're going to share another great "picks and shovels" business that's thriving with oil prices still hovering above $90 per barrel... And it also provides us a great indicator for worldwide oil activity...
Schlumberger (SLB) is the world's biggest oil and natural gas services company. The company handles everything from supplying drill rigs and computer software... to sending a team of professionals to drill a customer's oilfield for them. With a $125 billion market cap, Schlumberger is bigger than its four largest competitors combined. If the world's biggest oil companies are busy, chances are Schlumberger is helping them. About 70% of the company's business comes from outside North America. That makes it the perfect "bellwether" for worldwide oilfield activity.
Schlumberger's international business is booming – sales are up 30% over the past two years. In other words, producers around the world are ramping up activity. As you can see below, it's generating a steady uptrend in share price for Schlumberger. The stock just broke out above its old highs from 2011. It's a strong sign that the world's oil companies are ramping up their activity.
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