The new reality of business means that companies need to be ever-more aware of macro economic events and assess the potential impact these events have on their own day-to-day operations and long-term plans. Alerus’ goal is to help ensure that customers have access to good information. This monthly report provides more than just data on economic trends; it provides expert insight to help you make sense of the information.
Download the PDF: Alerus Monthly Insights: April
Overall assessment: There are more signs of improvement in the U.S. economy this month. Equity markets reflect these improvements, and we also see some signs of improvement in housing and labor markets. Recovery is clearly taking hold, though again, the quality of the recovery has been less than desired. Lingering issues related to foreclosures continue to cast doubt over the ability of housing markets to demonstrate consistent, long-run improvement. Consumer spending shows signs of increasing, and faster than the level of income, which raises concerns about repeating the mistakes of the recent past.
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Data and the related opinions have been compiled by Alerus Financial’s strategic information partner, Dr. David T. Flynn.Dr. David T. Flynn is an Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Bureau of Business & Economic Research at the College of Business & Public Administration, University of North Dakota. Dr. Flynn has developed forecast models for personal income and employment in North Dakota, and analyzed small business location patterns for the top 200 cities in North Dakota. His commentary on the North Dakota economy has appeared in print and online publications such as BusinessWeek, NewsWeek, American Banker, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and in newspaper and magazines from the United States, Brazil and Finland. Dr. Flynn is a member of the International Institute of Forecasters, the National Association for Business Economics, and many other professional organizations.
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