Introducing

Sandy Batten

Sandy Batten has more than 30 years of experience analyzing industrial economies and financial markets and a wide range of experience across the financial services sector, government, and academia.   Before joining Haver Analytics, Sandy was a Vice President and Senior Economist at Citibank; Senior Credit Market Analyst at CDC Investment Management, Managing Director at Bear Stearns, and Executive Director at JPMorgan.   In 2008, Sandy was named the most accurate US forecaster by the National Association for Business Economics. He is a member of the New York Forecasters Club, NABE, and the American Economic Association.   Prior to his time in the financial services sector, Sandy was a Research Officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Senior Staff Economist on the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy at the US Treasury, and Economist at the International Monetary Fund. Sandy has taught economics at St. Louis University, Denison University, and Muskingun College. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in a wide range of academic publications. He has a B.A. in economics from the University of Richmond and a M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from The Ohio State University.  

Publications by Sandy Batten

• USA| Dec 13 2022

  NFIB Small Business Optimism Index Edges Up in November

  • Small increase in December but index still remains well below long-term average.

  • Inflation remains top business concern.

  • Expectations of improved conditions over the next six months increased but remained deeply negative.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Nov 30 2022

  U.S. Q3 GDP Growth Revised Up in Second Estimate

  • The initially reported 2.6% q/q saar increase in real GDP in Q3 was revised up to 2.9%.
  • Outsized boost from trade revised even larger; inventories a larger drag.
  • Corporate profits slipped 1.1% q/q in Q3 after a strong 4.6% jump in Q2.
  • Quarterly rise in GDP price index revised up to 4.3% from 4.1% initially.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Nov 23 2022

  U.S. Durable Goods Orders Post Solid Rise in October

  • Orders increased a larger-than-expected 1.0% m/m and 0.5% excluding transportation.
  • Total manufacturing shipments rose 0.7% m/m.
  • Both core capital goods shipments and orders bounced back in October after declines in September.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Nov 16 2022

  U.S. Industrial Production Slipped in October

  • Manufacturing output edged up with a downward revision to September.
  • Mining and utilities production each fell in October.
  • Capacity utilization slipped from a near-expansion high.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Nov 16 2022

  U.S. Import and Export Prices Fell Further in October

  • The fourth consecutive monthly decline for each.
  • Y/Y rates of advance have declined by more than half over the past four months.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Nov 10 2022

  U.S. Housing Affordability Declines in September

  • Rise in mortgage rates more than offset decline in home prices.
  • Mortgage payment overall and as a percent of income rose.
  • Affordability continued to fall sharply from a year ago.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Nov 03 2022

  U.S. Productivity Rebounded in Q3 But Still Subpar

  • Nonfarm business productivity edged up 0.3% q/q saar following outsized declines in both Q1 and Q2.
  • Compensation growth slowed but remained relatively strong.
  • Unit labor cost growth also slowed but was still elevated.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Nov 01 2022

  U.S. Construction Spending Surprises to Upside in September

  • Residential construction remained challenged by rising interest rates; nonresidential building rebounded.
  • Public sector construction declined for second month.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Oct 28 2022

  U.S. Q3 ECI Still Elevated But Offered a Hint of Moderation

  • Employment costs rose 1.2% y/y but y/y rate slowed to 5.0%.
  • Both wage & salaries and benefits slowed slightly in Q3.
  • Rise in labor costs in the private sector slowed even more.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Oct 27 2022

  U.S. Durable Goods Orders Boosted by Transportation in September

  • Orders rose 0.4% m/m but fell 0.5% m/m when transportation excluded.
  • Orders have increased only 0.4% over the past three months.
  • Both core capital goods shipments and orders fell in September with downward revisions to August.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Oct 20 2022

  U.S. Existing Home Sales Fell Further in September

  • Eighth consecutive monthly decline to lowest level since COVID lockdown.
  • Declines were broad-based regionally with annual declines across all regions.
  • Decades-high interest rates taking their toll.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Oct 05 2022

  U.S. Trade Deficit Narrows Again in August

  • Deficit is smallest since May 2021.
  • Both exports and imports fell in August.
  • Real trade balance on course to add 2%-points to Q3 GDP growth.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief