Monthly Editorial Departments

Amid the flurry of gyrating stock-market activity, the U.S. economic expansion continues, albeit at a modest pace. Second-quarter preliminary estimates put the growth rate of inflation-adjusted gross domestic product at less than 1 percent, following a first-quarter expansion of only 1.2 percent. Many of the new high-tech firms have folded, and some of the older firms have … [Read more...] about September 2001: Business Indicators

The Federal Reserve continues to push the "signaling" short-term interest rates downward, having cut the federal funds target rate and the discount rate six times already in 2001. This aggressive activity at lowering the cost of borrowing is likely to take some time before yielding significant results. Historical experience suggests that the impact of interest-rate adjustments … [Read more...] about August 2001: Business Indicators

Weakening economic conditions continue across the nation. Most notably, the latest employment numbers show higher unemployment rates compared with year-ago levels. Both the national and state unemployment levels have drifted upward in recent months. Still, the number of jobs is growing, albeit at slow rates nationally and at healthier rates in Nevada’s urban centers. Most … [Read more...] about July 2001: Business Indicators

Having aggressively pushed interest rates upward to slow down an overheated stock market during the first half of 2000, the Federal Reserve retraced its steps in pushing interest rates down in 2001 to counter sagging stock prices. In early January 2001, the Federal Reserve changed its policy direction. It dropped the federal funds and the discount rates by 50 basis points on … [Read more...] about June 2001: Business Indicators

Clouds of uncertainty continue — some indicators showing weakness and others holding at favorable levels. Signs of weakness in the national economy include stock-market prices, down from the peak of a year ago; emerging concern about future disruptions in the supply of energy; and some manufacturing and dot-com layoffs. Some hype has been generated about declining financial … [Read more...] about May 2001: Business Indicators

Stock-market volatility and declining share prices would, other things being equal, suggest economic weakness. Wall Street activity, however, does not always reflect economic fundamentals on Main Street. Indeed, despite falling stock-market indexes since March 2000, overall U.S. economic activity remains generally healthy with the latest unemployment rate (February 2001) at 4.2 … [Read more...] about April 2001: Business Indicators

With this issue we introduce a new format. The format identifies recent growth rates, computed as the percentage change over the last two observations, and trend, computed as the percentage change for the latest period over the same period a year ago. We have added some new national indicators to round out our list of the most often watched indicators. In addition, we include a … [Read more...] about March 2001: Business Indicators

The October and November data now available bring some clear signs that the economy’s robust growth has slowed. Throughout 2000, the Fed repeatedly hiked the federal funds rate — the rate that banks charge each other — and the discount rate — the rate that the Fed charges member banks. These Fed activities have tugged at the market forces driving interest rates and asset … [Read more...] about February 2001: Business Indicators

Though showing signs of slower growth, a strong U.S. economy seems to be moving toward what seems to be a sustainable path. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a measure of overall spending, increased at 7.61 percent for the third quarter of 2000 over the same period a year ago. The early estimate of the third quarter GDP growth rate adjusted for price increases came in at 2.7 … [Read more...] about January 2001: Business Indicators

A strong U.S. economy, though showing signs of slower growth, seems to be moving toward what seems to be a sustainable path. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a measure of overall spending, increased at 7.73 percent for the third quarter of 2000 over the same period a year ago. The early estimate of the third quarter GDP growth rate adjusted for price increases came in at 2.7 … [Read more...] about December 2000: Business Indicators

The longest economic expansion on record continues to set records, bringing prosperity to the U.S. and the Silver State. The U.S. and Nevada economies continue to grow at strong rates. Unemployment rates remain favorable, 4.1 percent nationally and 3.9 percent in Nevada. Inflation, though recently pushed upward by higher oil prices, remains at 3.5 percent as measured by the … [Read more...] about November 2000: Business Indicators

The Federal Reserve has worked through word and action during the first half of 2000 to push the full range of interest rates upward, thereby attempting to trim the rate of growth and hopefully reduce the risk of future economic difficulty. Treasury bill rates under the tight rein of the Fed are up over year-ago levels, but the market-determined rates have not moved … [Read more...] about October 2000: Business Indicators

Having some key indicators post double-digit growth, for example, gross gaming revenue, has been welcome news for Nevada's gaming and tourism economy. August numbers reveal a strong 11.28 percent increase measured year-overyear for the state. The Las Vegas Metro Area, Clark County, having increased room capacity about 10 percent, recorded a strong increase of 13.92 percent. … [Read more...] about December 1999: Business Indicators