Undervalued and Overvalued Economic Indicators

Forward versus backwards-looking

One of the most important aspects of data is whether it tells you what has happened or whether it indicates what is likely to happen. From a trading perspective beyond the very short term, it is much more important to know what is likely to happen next.

It is also important to focus as much as possible on data which tells you what is actually happening rather than what consumers, experts or companies think is happening.

1. GDP

The GDP data is produced quarterly and invariably triggers a substantial market reaction, but the data is questionable in its usefulness, especially as it is backwards-looking. Headline GDP data also makes no allowance for population changes and does not measure GDP per capita

GDP data from all countries are prone to substantial revisions over the following months and even years. Data which suggests economic contraction can easily be revised away over the following few quarters and vice versa.

For example:

* US GDP

The US GDP data is annualised which makes relatively small deviations appear larger than is really the case. For example, if GDP rises 0.3% in the quarter, this will be reported as an annualised rate of 1.2%. Quarterly growth of 0.5% would be reported as 2.0%. In statistical terms, a relatively small deviation from the consensus will look like a much bigger miss.

* UK GDP

The NIESR produces monthly estimates of GDP growth and these are released significantly earlier than the official GDP data.

* China GDP

The Chinese data is vulnerable to considerable manipulation and, in general, other data releases on the economy are much more important indicators of underlying growth trends.

2. UK retail sales

The data can provide important information on trends in retail sales, but there is a high degree of monthly volatility and the risk of significant revisions. It is also difficult for the data to pick-up wider trends in consumer spending which is more valuable than the narrow focus on retail spending.

Earlier data on retail sales is also provided by the British Retail Sales Consortium (BRC). The data impact is limited, especially as it is released during the UK night-time.

3. Australia employment data

The Australian employment data is produced monthly, but it is prone to substantial revisions and there have been major issues with the reliability of this data in the past with major problems over seasonal adjustment

1. Money supply growth

Money supply data from major economies receives very little attention for most of the time. There was a flurry of interest in the Eurozone data at the height of the economic crisis within the Euro-zone, but this has faded again.

US data receives almost no attention and most calendars do not even carry the US release. Money supply growth is, however, a key economic variable and a bed-rock of central bank economic policies. Importantly is also a key leading indicator as strong money supply growth suggests growth will strengthen within the next few months while a sharp weakening of growth is an important warning sign that growth is liable to weaken.

2. Euro PMI data

The Euro-zone PMI data on the industrial and services sectors should gather more attention. Headline data does receive some market focus, but very little attention is paid to data on employment and prices. This data is, however, a crucial leading indicator of trends in prices and employment. Survey responses will give crucial insights into hiring and pricing intentions before they show up in official data.

3. Euro-zone current account

Ultimately, currency values are determined by supply and demand conditions. The Euro-zone current account data provides important evidence on underlying balance of payments trends, especially as there is also data on capital flows which will have an important impact on underlying Euro levels.

4. Australia MI Inflation index

This indicator receives relatively little attention, especially as the data is supplied to subscribers only. Australian consumer inflation data is, however, only released quarterly and the MI inflation data gives important insights into underlying inflation trends.

5. Australia PMI data

Australian PMI data produced by AIG covers the manufacturing, construction and services-sector index. The data is often overlooked but provides important intelligence on overall trends in the economy.

6. China Caixin PMI data

Caixin produces monthly PMI data on the Chinese economy for both the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. The release includes data on orders, employment and prices and provides important evidence on underlying trends in the Chinese economy.