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| Aug 17 2023

  U.S. Index of Leading Indicators Fell Again in July

  • Leading index declined for the 16th consecutive month, pointing to economic contraction ahead.
  • Coincident Economic Index rose for third time in past four months.
  • Lagging Economic Index unchanged for fourth time in past five months.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Aug 15 2023

  U.S. Business Sales Edged Down While Inventories Were Unchanged in June

  • Retail inventories up 0.7% m/m while wholesale inventories fell 0.5% m/m.
  • Total sales slipped with a small increase in retail and a bigger decline in wholesale.
  • Total I/S ratio unchanged for third consecutive month but remained highest since June 2020.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Aug 15 2023

  U.S. Import and Export Prices Rose More than Expected in July

  • Import prices rebound led by rise in fuel prices.
  • Excluding fuels, import prices were unchanged.
  • Export price increases widely spread across agricultural and nonagricultural products.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Aug 03 2023

  Factory Orders Jump in June on Surge in Nondefense Aircraft

  • Durable goods orders jumped in June, led by nondefense aircraft; nondurable goods orders were little changed.
  • Total shipments rose for the second consecutive month.
  • Durable goods inventories rose modestly while nondurable goods inventories fell.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Aug 01 2023

  U.S. JOLTS Job Openings Slid Modestly in June, But Labor Market Still Tight

  • Openings fell modestly, the fifth decline in past six months.
  • Excess of openings over number unemployed rebounded slightly but still on downtrend.
  • Hires fell for the first time in three months.
  • Both quits and layoffs declined.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 27 2023

  U.S. Advance June Goods Trade Deficit Narrowed

  • Exports rose, the first monthly gain in three months.
  • Imports fell, their fourth monthly decline in the past five months.
  • The goods trade deficit widened in Q2, subtracting from GDP growth.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 20 2023

  U.S. Index of Leading Indicators Fell Again in June

  • Leading index declined for the 15th consecutive month.
  • Coincident Economic Index unchanged after two monthly increases.
  • Lagging Economic Index also unchanged.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 18 2023

  U.S. Business Sales and Inventories Rose in May

  • Factory inventories up 0.2% so far in Q2, reversing 0.2% decline in Q1.
  • Factory and retail sales up in May while wholesale sales fell for third consecutive month.
  • Total I/S ratio unchanged but remained highest since June 2020.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 06 2023

  U.S. JOLTS Job Openings Fall in May but Labor Market Shows Resilience

  • Fourth decline in openings in past five months.
  • Excess of openings over number unemployed fell to lowest level since September 2021.
  • Quits increased while layoffs fell, showing resilience.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 06 2023

  Initial Unemployment Claims Remain Elevated

  • Claims rose 12,000 but below recent peak in week of June 10.
  • Continuing claims fell further to lowest level since February.
  • Insured unemployment rate unchanged at 1.2% for tenth straight week.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jun 27 2023

  U.S. Durable Goods Orders Surprised on Upside in May

  • Total orders unexpectedly rose 1.7% m/m in May with an upward revision to April.
  • Widespread strength with defense only major sector exhibiting weakness.
  • Shipments of durable goods rose a robust 1.7% while inventories edged up 0.2% m/m.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| May 25 2023

  Chicago Fed National Activity Index Increases in April

  • The Chicago Fed National Activity Index increased into positive territory in April.
  • Led by improvements in production-related indicators.
  • However, the key 3-month average fell further into negative territory, pointing to increased recession risk.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief