Economic Indicators Of 2009

It would probably be fair to say that the economic conditions in the United States in 2009 was poor, at least for the first half of the year.

At the end of January of 2009, 22% of Americans thought that the economy was good. About 33% thought that the economy was poor.

At the end of June, only 12% thought that the economy was good. Then 49% thought the economy was poor.

Sales were down 18% in June of 2009, from a year ago. Inventories were down 9.8% from a year ago.

Retail trade and food service sales were down 9% from June of 2008. Gasoline station sales were down 32.5% from July of 2008. Sales from building material, garden equipment and supplies dealers were down 14.7% from last year.

Construction spending as a whole was down 10.2% from June of 2008. Residential construction was down 29.3% since June of 2008, which was a year ago from June 2009. Commercial construction was down 28.2% from a year ago.

U.S. international trade in goods and services, or the trade balance, was -$27.0 billion. This was an increase in from a month ago; then it was -$26 billion. Imports increased more than exports.

Even back to schools sales were down. Shoppers are avoiding brand names and doing more comparison shopping.