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 09 2022

  U.S. Small Business Optimism Edged Up in July

  • This was the first monthly increase in 2022, but optimism still remains quite low.

  • Index of expectations for the next six months rebounded from series low in June.

  • Six of the 10 index components fell in July.

  • Inflation is the biggest major concern, highest since 1979.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 29 2022

  U.S. Income, Spending Gains Wiped Out by Inflation in June

  • Nominal income and spending posted solid gains in June.

  • But these were mostly neutralized by stronger-than-expected price increases.

  • Income gains led by wages, owing to still-tight labor market.

  • Monthly and annual inflation picked up, led by food and energy prices, but is broadening.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 28 2022

  U.S. Unemployment Claims Fell but Remain on Uptrend

  • Initial claims decreased 5,000 to 256,000 in the July 23 week.

  • But previous week was revised up 10,000.

  • Continued claims fell 25,000 in the week of July 16.

  • The insured unemployment rate was unchanged at 1.0%.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 27 2022

  U.S. Goods Trade Deficit Narrows in June

  • Lowest deficit since last November.

  • Exports post fifth consecutive monthly rise while imports fell for third consecutive month.

  • Marked narrowing in Q2 deficit points to meaningful contribution from net exports to Q2 GDP.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 20 2022

  U.S. Existing Home Sales Fall for Fifth Straight Month

  • Declining affordability continued to depress sales.

  • Three of the four major regions posted monthly declines; all posted yearly declines.

  • Median sales price rose to another record high.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 19 2022

  U.S. Housing Starts Fall Further in June

  • Starts level is lowest since September 2021.

  • Building permits edged down to nine-month low.

  • Single family starts and permits fell while multi-family rebounded.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 13 2022

  Another Disappointing U.S. Consumer Prices Report

  • Headline index jumped up 1.3% m/m, led by surging food and energy prices.

  • Annual headline rate rose to highest since November 1981.

  • Increase in core prices broadly based.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 12 2022

  Small Business Expectations Hit All-time Low

  • NFIB Optimism Index fell in June to 89.5, its lowest reading since early 2013.

  • Index of expectations for the next six months fell to a series low.

  • Each of the 10 index components fell.

  • Inflation is the most major concern, highest level of concern since late 1980.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 08 2022

  U.S. Payroll Employment Gains Stronger than Expected in June

  • Significantly stronger-than-expected gain in payrolls in June but downward revisions to both April and May.

  • Unemployment rate unchanged at near 50-year low; participation rate slipped slightly.

  • Annual wage growth slowed for third consecutive month.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 07 2022

  U.S. Unemployment Claims Increased

  • Initial claims increased 4,000 to 235,000 in the week ended July 2.

  • Continued weeks claimed rose 51,000.

  • The insured unemployment rate inched up to 1.0% from series low of 0.9%.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jul 06 2022

  May JOLTS: Openings, Hiring Slipped, Separations Edged Up

  • The number of job openings fell for second consecutive month but remained very high historically.

  • New hires also eased and their recent uptrend appears to be slowing slightly.

  • Separations edged up with quits falling and layoffs increasing slightly.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief
• 

  USA| Jun 30 2022

  U.S. Income Gained, Spending Slowed in May

  • Spending slowdown due mostly to marked drop in motor vehicle sales.

  • Real spending declined for first time in five months.

  • Income posted solid, broad-based gain.

  • Monthly inflation picked up, led by rebound in energy prices.

  by:Sandy Batten

  |in:Economy in Brief