US Indicators for beginners {Definition + Examples}

US indicators

There are a number of Economic Indicators out of the United States. After all, this is the world’s largest economy. Here are some of the most widely watched indicators you must be aware of.

United States indicators
NAME	DESCRIPTION	DATE
Non-Farm Payrolls	Total number of paid US workers excluding government and farm employees.	Released first Friday of every month.
Trade Balance or US Trade Deficit	Is the total difference between exports and imports.	Released every month on the 10th at 8:30 EST.
CPI (Consumer Price Index)	Uses a basket of good to gauge inflation. Does not include food and energy.	Released every month on the 15th at 8:30 am EST.
Manufacturing ISM Report	A report of manufacturing within US factories and is released by the institute for supply management.	Released every month on the first business day at 10:00 EST.
Michigan Consumer Confidence	Is a gauge that measures consumer confidence in the US economy. This survey is based a monthly survey of 5,000 US homes.	Preliminary report released on the 15th day of every month. On the final Tuesday of the month, the final report is released.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product)	The total output of goods and services produced in the country. Quarterly and yearly numbers released.	Every month the quarterly data is redone and released to the public at the end of the month.
New Orders For Durable Goods	Shows what durable goods orders are placed with manufacturers for both immediate and deliveries in the future.	This indicator is seasonally adjusted.
PPI – Finished Goods	Measures inflation at the producer level. This does not include services.	Around 15th every month.
US Unemployment Rate (%)	The number of those unemployed in the US, given as a percentage (ratio).	First Thursday every month.
Residential Building Permits	These are new homes constructions that have been given permits to build. Both for single and multi units.	Third Tuesday Every month.
Industrial Production	Measures production in US factories, mines as well as utilities. Measures capacity, available resources and growth.	Third Tuesday of every month.
Housing Starts	The actual number of new home construction in the US.	Around the 17th of every month.