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| Sep 14 2023

  U.S. PPI Jumped in August, Driven by Gasoline Prices

  • Larger-than-expected 0.7% m/m increase in August.
  • About 50% of overall increase attributable to 20% m/m surge in gasoline prices.
  • PPI excluding food and energy prices rose just 0.2% m/m.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Sep 13 2023

  U.S. Mortgage Applications Fell Further

  • Applications fell for the seventh time in the past eight weeks.
  • Purchase applications increased while refinance applications fell.
  • Mortgage interest rates rose modestly but remained slightly off recent highs.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Sep 08 2023

  Consumer Credit Increased in July but Less than Expected

  • Nonrevolving credit edged up $0.8 billion with a decline in bank lending.
  • Revolving credit rebounded, rising $9.6 billion after a $0.9 billion decline in June.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Aug 30 2023

  Q2 U.S. GDP Growth Revised Slightly Slower

  • GDP increased 2.1% q/q (SAAR) in the second estimate vs. 2.4% in the advance.
  • Downward revision to business spending on equipment was the major source.
  • GDP and PCE price inflation moderated even further.
  • Small decline in total corporate profits with an increase in foreign profits.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Aug 29 2023

  U.S. JOLTS Job Openings Slid Further in July

  • Openings fell modestly, the sixth decline in the past seven months.
  • Excess of openings over number unemployed fell to lowest level August 2021.
  • Hires fell for the second consecutive month to lowest level since January 2021.
  • Quits fell for the fourth time in the past five months while layoffs edged up.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  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