Economic Indicators for Dummies

Your plain-English guide to making sense of economic indicatorsIn today's economic landscape, countless statistics and reports paint a picture that can resemble a work by Jackson Pollock. These complex and often-conflicting reports could vex even the savviest investor. Economic Indicators For Dummies shows you how to interpret this critical information to make solid investments, aid in business planning, and help develop informed decisions.* Economic Indicators 101 -- get a refresher on the terminology you'll encounter in this book as well as plain-English explanations of common economic jargon* Spread the wealth -- understand how consumer spending is the driving force behind an economy, where consumer dollars go, and who has money to spend* Large and in charge -- discover how tracking the largest economic sectors -- healthcare, automobile manufacturing, and housing -- is an excellent way to determine the economy's current health* Fight inflation -- find out how to monitor the economy for signs of inflation, rising employee compensation costs, and falling productivity* Look globally -- decipher important international indicators if you're considering investing in overseas marketsOpen the book and find:* The analytical concepts you need to understand* A quick review of stocks, bonds, and other investment markets* How unemployment makes an impact on investment markets* What you need to know about the GDP Report* Ways you can make sense of the Federal Reserve's economic surveys and forecasts* Worldwide economic indicators to watch* A glossary that defines key termsLearn to:* Understand how indicators affect stocks, bonds, commodities, and international markets* Use various reports to make investment decisions* Plan strategic goals for business growth