IHS Global Insight Economic Outlook Index
Created with USA TODAY, Index Examines 11 Key Indicators for Growth

Created jointly with USA TODAY, IHS Global Insight's Economic Outlook Index tracks and forecasts economic recovery and growth prospects using an index of 11 forward-looking leading economic and financial indicators. The index predicts future real gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Real GDP, the value of goods and services produced in the United States, adjusted for inflation, is a key measure of economic activity and a major factor in determining whether the economy is in recession. The U.S. economy went into recession in the fourth-quarter 2007. Unlike other indexes, the USA TODAY/IHS Global Insight Economic Outlook Index only includes those forward-looking indicators with a proven ability to predict future economic activity. As a group, the 11 indicators accurately forecast economic growth and are sensitive to signs of stress in the economy. The Economic Outlook Index, available at www.economicoutlook.usatoday.com, features an interactive graphic that charts the forecasted values for real GDP growth several months into the future. The graphic also includes values back to 2000, allowing users to look back at nearly a decade of economic indicators.

Related Information Press Release: 11 June 2009 Latest Economic Outlook Index