Are things getting better in this economy? Sometimes it’s truly hard to figure that out when sifting through the glut of economic data. More often than not, the answer is muddy.
Staff Report
Big Mac IndexPublished by The Economist, this indicator measures purchasing power parity (PPP) between economies and is a guide as to whether currencies are at theirPublished by The Economist, this indicator measures purchasing power parity (PPP) between economies and is a guide as to whether currencies are at their “correct” level. PPP says where exchanges rates should move in the long run . It looks at the price of a Big Mac burger, which is available in 100 different countries. In the July 2011 index, a Big Mac in the U.S. cost $4.07, whereas in China it cost $2.27. This suggests the Chinese Yuan is 44 percent undervalued versus the U.S. dollar; otherwise the price of the Big Mac would be the same. (Do you want fries with that?)Junko Kimura/Getty ImagesCrowded Movie HousesHard economic times seem to drive people to movie theaters (Netflix or no Netflix). Movies are one of the least expensive entertaiHard economic times seem to drive people to movie theaters (Netflix or no Netflix). Movies are one of the least expensive entertainment options away from home, it turns out. In 2011, summer box office sales reached a new record of $4.4 billion and were up approximately 1 percent over 2010, according to the National Association of Theater Owners. And the summer of 2011 summer marked the fifth consecutive season in which revenue sales exceeded $4 billion.Sergio Dionisio/Getty ImagesMUI - Men’s Underwear IndexMen, look no further than your underwear drawer. It may sound trivial, but some economists say that isn’t so. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was a subscriber of this theory: He said that since so few people ever see men’s underwear, this iMen, look no further than your underwear drawer. It may sound trivial, but some economists say that isn’t so. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was a subscriber of this theory: He said that since so few people ever see men’s underwear, this is the first item that men stop buying when the economy is tight. As of August, men’s underwear sales increased 7.9 percent over last year at the same time, according to marketing research firm NPD Group. By this measure, at least, we’re headed in the right direction.Calvin KleinCoupon RedemptionClip, clip, clip! Inmar, a coupon processing company, recently said that coupon redemption was up 4 percent in the second quarter, compared with the same time a year ago, in part because of the non-food coupon redemption. Consumers are still looking for dClip, clip, clip! Inmar, a coupon processing company, recently said that coupon redemption was up 4 percent in the second quarter, compared with the same time a year ago, in part because of the non-food coupon redemption. Consumers are still looking for deals, but there’s apparently less urgency than there was in 2009 at the height of the recession. In 2009 consumers used coupons at a faster clip than ever before: Buyers redeemed a whopping 3.3 billion coupons.Extreme Couponing<em>Sports Illustrated</em> Swimsuit Issue IndicatorThis indicator is based on the nationality of the model on the cover of the magazine: Her country of birth gives insight into stock market returns for the year. If an American model appears on the cover, this suggests that the S&P 500 will generate a retuThis indicator is based on the nationality of the model on the cover of the magazine: Her country of birth gives insight into stock market returns for the year. If an American model appears on the cover, this suggests that the S&P 500 will generate a return above its historical average, while a non-American leads to under-performance. This year’s 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue featured Irina Shayk, a Russian-born model. No wonder the S&P 500 has been in the red!Sports IllustratedHelp-Wanted Online Index (HWOL)The Conference Board publishes this monthly indicator, which monitors the number of help-wanted advertisements online from more than 1,200 major online job sites. In September, the number of vacancies shown online was down 43,500. The losses were widespreThe Conference Board publishes this monthly indicator, which monitors the number of help-wanted advertisements online from more than 1,200 major online job sites. In September, the number of vacancies shown online was down 43,500. The losses were widespread in all states and occupations. In the last 6 months, labor demand has experienced a drop of 500,000, or 11 percent. Nationally, there are 10 million more unemployed people than advertised vacancies.Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesThe Hot Waitress IndexThe more attractive the waitress, the weaker the economy, goes this theory. In thriving times, attractive women in large cities have the opportunity to earn salaries through modeling, hosting parties, etc. But in a lousy economy, often those opportunitiesThe more attractive the waitress, the weaker the economy, goes this theory. In thriving times, attractive women in large cities have the opportunity to earn salaries through modeling, hosting parties, etc. But in a lousy economy, often those opportunities dry up and employers at restaurants hire attractive women to attract more diners. So when the economy starts rebounding, “hot” people will migrate back to better jobs sooner than the “not-so-hot” workers. (Have you checked out your waitress lately?)Astrid Stawiarz/Getty ImagesThe Diaper Rash IndicatorSad but (apparently) true: Diapering costs are one of the first things we trim back on in a recession. Ad Age reported thSad but (apparently) true: Diapering costs are one of the first things we trim back on in a recession. Ad Age reported that this cutback shows up in the form of rising sales of diaper-rash cream, even at a time when the infant population has declined. According to Symphony IRI data, unit sales of disposable diapers fell 9 percent in the 52 weeks ended August 7; but unit sales of diaper rash creams rose 2.8 percent. All this, in spite of fewer babies.Graeme Robertson/Getty Images
