Economic Metrics to Watch for Ecommerce Brands (#recessionwatch)

1. Gross domestic product (GDP) – a measure of the total value of goods and services produced in an economy. It is considered one of the most important indicators of the overall health of an economy.
2. Unemployment rate – a measure of the percentage of the labor force that is currently without work but actively seeking employment. A high unemployment rate can be a sign of a struggling economy.
3. Consumer price index (CPI) – a measure of the average change in prices over time for a basket of goods and services consumed by households. It is used to calculate the rate of inflation in an economy.
4. Housing starts – a measure of the number of new residential construction projects that have begun in a given period of time. It can provide insight into the strength of the housing market and the overall health of the economy.
5. Retail sales – a measure of the total sales of goods and services by retail outlets in a given period of time. It can provide insight into consumer spending habits and the overall strength of the economy.
6. Manufacturing index – a measure of the level of production in the manufacturing sector of an economy. A high manufacturing index can indicate a strong economy, while a low index can indicate a struggling economy.
7. Industrial production – a measure of the total output of the industrial sector of an economy, including manufacturing, mining, and utilities. It can provide insight into the strength of the economy’s industrial sector.
8. Gross domestic income (GDI) – a measure of the total income earned by the residents of an economy. It can provide an alternative perspective on the overall health of the economy compared to GDP.
9. Trade balance – a measure of the difference between the value of a country’s imports and exports. A positive trade balance (exports greater than imports) can indicate a strong economy, while a negative trade balance can indicate a struggling economy.
10. Consumer confidence index – a measure of consumers’ confidence in the state of the economy. A high consumer confidence index can indicate a strong economy, while a low index can indicate a struggling economy.
11. Inflation rate – a measure of the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and subsequently, purchasing power is falling. Central banks use the inflation rate as a guide for setting monetary policy.
12. Interest rates – the rate at which banks lend money to one another, which can influence the overall level of borrowing and lending in an economy. Changes in interest rates can have significant effects on economic activity.
13. Stock market index – a measure of the overall performance of the stock market, often represented by the movement of a specific market index such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. A rising stock market can indicate a strong economy, while a falling market can indicate a struggling economy.
14. Gross national product (GNP) – a measure of the total value of goods and services produced by a country’s residents, regardless of where they are located. It is similar to GDP, but includes income earned by residents from foreign sources.
15. Balance of payments – a measure of the total transactions between a country and the rest of the world. It includes both the trade balance (exports and imports of goods and services) and the balance of payments on income (earnings from foreign investments). A positive balance of payments can indicate a strong economy, while a negative balance can indicate a struggling economy.