EXECUTIVES

Purchasing Managers’ Index: or PMI, is the most accurate predictor of economic activity in the U.S. The PMI measures new orders, production, employment, and supplier deliveries. With trade agreements flying all over the place, this indicator will spell it out best. After all, when we come off a virus every 100 years or so, purchases really deliver a check on consumer confidence and business confidence at the same time. — Bob Rauch

Unemployment: The economy’s strength is dependent on jobs. When unemployment rates are high and steady, there are adverse impacts on longterm economic growth. Beyond income loss, unemployment limits consumer purchasing, and reduces the economy’s production. Moreover, there is a correlation to negative societal consequences, including a family’s inability to meet basic needs, mental health strain and even crime surge. This comes with a cost borne by government spending. The labor market is essential to monitor.

— Reginald Jones

Multiple indicators: I will be looking at gross

domestic product, or GDP, and employment indicators, like payroll and unemployment. Hopefully, if we can get the pandemic under control and vaccines are effective, we will see businesses reopen and people get back to work. Employment indicators will show us this progress on a monthly basis. GDP is usually the broadest indicator of the economy and provides a bellwether to consumers, investors, and public and private industries on how our economy is performing. — Jamie Moraga

Unemployment: The pandemic disproportionately created unemployment at the bottom quarter of the income spectrum. While jobs have not returned yet, they have not had the anticipated economic impact due to huge government spending (including 17 percent — $600 billion of $3.6 trillion — to individuals, which includes increased unemployment payments). Injections to prop up the economy will likely be extended, but they cannot last forever. I am anxious about the eventual reckoning. — Austin Neudecker

Unemployment rate: Employment levels drive the economy. If people are working in satisfying jobs, they are spending money and keeping the economy active. Satisfying jobs reduce insecurity, pressure, divorce, health concerns, crime and even suicide.

— Phil Blair

Unemployment rate: It will measure how successful we are in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and the effectiveness of the related fiscal and monetary stimulus measures.

— Chris Van Gorder