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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Comments on Ranking Economic Data

by Calculated Risk on 2/10/2011 07:23:00 PM

I've received some great feedback on the List: Ranking Economic Data post from earlier today.

In that post I tried to provide a ranking for a number of economic releases with links to source data and graphs.

I probably should have put the Trade Balance report a little higher (ht Dirk) - probably on the 'C List', although at times this belongs on the 'B List'.

And on Existing Home Sales: This was a tough choice. For me, the key to the NAR report is the inventory number - I watch it closely at times (I'd even say that existing home inventory is 'B List' data at times), but the sales number is much less important (Note: later this summer, I expect the NAR to revise down sales for the last few years).

The rise in existing home inventory in late 2005 helped me call the top of the housing bubble activity and predict that prices would start falling in 2006.

Please check out the list - I'll provide occasional updates. And thanks to all for the feedback.