Comments on: Recession? A New “Feel Good” Index

By: Bob Trojan

Bob Trojan — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:03:50 +0000

Nate;
Thanks for your feedback and the interesting article. While I don’t doubt the “escape to the movies” analysis, when I see families at Showcase paying $7 each, and walking in with large bushels of popcorn and gallon jugs of Coke/Pepsi, I gotta wonder…it’s gotta cost them a lot!

Even so, with all the other spending taking place, I have to wonder if they are concerned about the “recession” I still see watering holes around Rockford seeming to be doing OK. I would have thought consumers would be doing more at home to save on gas and food bills. And don’t forget the run on iPod Phone 3G’s!

The article refers to “employers shedding workers….” and “consumers reeling…” Well it seems to me that this is a bucket approach analysis. Not all employers are shedding and not all consumers are reeling! Evidence my first posting!

Thanks again.

By: Nate Legue

Nate Legue — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:00:04 +0000

No. 2 works as an economic marker, but not the way you’re reading it, Bob. Movie ticket sales are widely viewed as an inverse indicator for the economy and correlate with recession. We go see movies when we’re depressed about our economic prospects — this is a phenomenon that the National Association of Theater Owners says has been going for the last five recessions.
Here’s an AP article from earlier this year about it.

By: Robert Trojan

Robert Trojan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:20:14 +0000

Let’s add the following as reported today in the RRS:

“The number of vehicles registered in the Rock River Valley was UP 1.1% in April compared by a surprising jump in sales of new cars andtrucks. It marked the first time since December 2006 that vehicle registrations were up year-over-year”.

Somehow, I have to figure out how to put all these into an Index number, but for now, I’m off to get me a Starbucks!

By: Leatherneck

Leatherneck — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:59:31 +0000

Well stated my friend, You hit the nail right on the head. I am glad that somebody in the media sees all the evidence. I have been reciting all these types of things for several months whenever someone says that we are in a recession …because the evidence suggests otherwise.

By: bob

bob — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:57:07 +0000

take a look at number 2. Its ShowPlace 16 not ShowCase and there is only one. in Machesney Park its called Showplace 14

By: Curt Sanders

Curt Sanders — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:21:25 +0000

I have to agree with Bob….there is TONS of economic activity that isnt being reoprted by the major media and the local news departments can only do so much. A recession is when you neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. Im just sayin…