Weekly Indicators: Oil Retreats, Manufacturing Advances, Consumers Stay The Course

New Deal Democrat4.92K FollowersFollow5ShareSavePlay(31min)CommentsSummaryAll major timeframes for economic indicators remain positive, with financial markets showing particular strength in bond spreads and stock prices.Long leading indicators are buoyed by positive bond market spreads, though rising interest rates have turned mortgage applications sharply negative.Short leading indicators are stable, supported by low layoffs and a manufacturing rebound, but surging commodity prices signal supply-driven negatives.Coincident indicators reflect robust consumer spending and mixed rail/tax data; there is no current evidence of consumer retrenchment despite higher gas prices. ZambeziShark/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Purpose I look at the high frequency weekly indicators because while they can be very noisy, they provide a good nowcast of the economy, and will telegraph the maintenance or change in the economy well beforeThis article was written byNew Deal Democrat4.92K FollowersFollowNew Deal democrat As a professional who started an individual investor for almost 30 yeas ago, I quickly focused on economic cycles and the order in which they typically proceed. I have been writing about the economy for nearly 15 of those years, developing several alternate systems that include mid-cycle, long leading, short leading, coincident, lagging and long lagging indicators. I also focus particularly on their effects on average working and middle class Americans.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.