Archive

Setting the Stage

Latest government figures show that the Puget Sound economy is still on course to recovery. If aircraft employment stabilizes this summer, the economy will accelerate through the rest of the year and remain relatively strong in 1995 and 1996.

Volume: 2 - Number: 2

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Employment and Migration

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

Not Much New

At the risk of being accused of shirking our duty, we present pretty much the same forecast as last time. In fact, the projected Puget Sound employment growth rates are exactly the same: 5.0 percent in 1997 and 3.5 percent in 1998.

Volume: 5 - Number: 2

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: International Trade

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

Making the Grade

The Puget Sound economy merits high marks for last year's achievements. Particularly impressive was its performance at the end of the year.

Volume: 5 - Number: 1

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Economic Diversity

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

Even Better

Last May, after presenting an optimistic outlook, we posed the following question: could it be even better? With each new report out of The Boeing Company, the answer seems to be yes.

Volume: 4 - Number: 4

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Regional Forecasting

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

On Cue

The Puget Sound economy, playing the role of the comeback kid, has performed better during the second half of the last three decades. As if on cue, it shifted into high gear at the start of 1996.

Volume: 4 - Number: 3

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Washington Commercial Banks

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

Some Insurance

Forecasting turning points is difficult. Thus, in February, when we called for the Puget Sound economy to break out of its five-year sluggish state, we crossed a couple of fingers.

Volume: 4 - Number: 2

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Rest of Washington

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

Breakout

If the national economy holds up, the Puget Sound region stands a good chance of breaking out of its five-year pattern of sub-par growth. But much hinges upon developments at The Boeing Company, Intel Corp., and Microsoft Corporation.

Volume: 4 - Number: 1

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Regional Growth

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

A Strike

After failing to negotiate a new contract with The Boeing Company, 22,500 aerospace machinists walked off the job in October. Each week, the striking workers forfeit $18 million in wages.

Volume: 3 - Number: 4

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Inflation

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

A Pause

In spite of an unexpected decline in employment this spring, Blue Chip economists contend that the "odds of a (national) recession this year or next are modest." Evidence supporting this opinion includes a confident consumer, lower mortgage rates, a weak dollar (lifting exports), and strong capital spending.

Volume: 3 - Number: 3

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Changing Demographics

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen

Above Water

Although the Puget Sound region, as a general rule, neither leads nor lags the nation during business cycles, it is currently behind. The loss of 37,300 aerospace jobs over a six-year period has delayed a local recovery, causing the region to trail the rest of the country.

Volume: 3 - Number: 2

Leading Index Title:

Special Topic Title: Puget Sound Exports

Authors:

  • Dick Conway
  • Doug Pedersen