14 Data Source

This chapter provides an overview of the primary U.S. institutions that either collect economic data (data suppliers) or compile and disseminate data from various sources (data distributors).

Data suppliers:

  • Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  • Federal Reserve Board of Governors
  • U.S. Department of the Treasury
  • Financial Market Exchanges

Data distributors:

  • Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS)
  • Bloomberg
  • Yahoo Finance

14.1 Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and is primarily responsible for providing comprehensive and extensive economic statistics. Key reports include:

  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
  • Personal Income and Outlays
  • Corporate Profits
  • U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services

14.2 U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau collects demographic, social, and economic data. This information, which includes the decennial census, informs everything from legislative representation to public policy decisions. Key data includes:

  • Population and Housing Census
  • American Community Survey
  • Economic Census
  • Annual Surveys of Manufacturers

14.3 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Key data includes:

  • Employment Situation
  • Consumer Price Index
  • Producer Price Index
  • Real Earnings

14.4 Federal Reserve Board of Governors

The Federal Reserve Board of Governors provides data on the functions, operations, and structure of the Federal Reserve System. Key data includes:

  • Interest Rates
  • Monetary Aggregates
  • Exchange Rates
  • Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization

14.5 U.S. Department of the Treasury

The U.S. Department of the Treasury collects data related to the U.S. government’s finances and debt. Key data includes:

  • Daily Treasury Yield Curve Rates
  • Treasury Auctions
  • U.S. International Reserve Position
  • The Monthly Treasury Statement (receipts and outlays of the federal government)

14.6 Financial Market Exchanges

Exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) provide extensive data on financial securities. Key data includes:

  • Equity prices
  • Trading volumes
  • Derivatives data (futures and options)
  • Index values

14.7 Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

FRED, maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, offers a wealth of economic data from multiple sources in an easily accessible format. It includes but is not limited to:

  • Interest Rates (sourced from Federal Reserve)
  • Unemployment Rate (sourced from BLS)
  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) (sourced from BLS)
  • Money Stock Measures (sourced from Federal Reserve)

14.8 U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS)

The ERS is a primary source of economic information and research in the field of agriculture. Key data includes:

  • Agricultural Outlook
  • Crop and Livestock Production
  • Food Prices, Expenditures, and Establishments
  • International Agricultural Trade

14.9 Bloomberg

Bloomberg provides financial software tools such as an analytics and equity trading platform, data services, and news to financial companies and organizations. Key data includes:

  • Stock Market Data
  • Economic Indicators
  • Commodities Prices
  • Currency Exchange Rates

Bloomberg data requires a Bloomberg license and installation of Bloomberg software.

14.10 Yahoo Finance

Yahoo Finance is a media property that provides financial news, data and commentary including stock quotes, press releases, financial reports, and original content. Key data includes:

  • Stock Quotes
  • Market Trends
  • Financial News
  • Economic Calendar

Unlike Bloomberg data, data from Yahoo Finance can be accessed for free.