Frequently Asked Questions

Economic Outlook Update Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Thank you for visiting the FAQ page for the Economic Outlook Update. If you're unable to find the answer you are looking for, please contact us at 1-503-479-8200 or customerservice@bvresources.com and we are happy to help.

Q: What is the Economic Outlook Update and what is contained in the report?

A: The Economic Outlook Update is a review of the state of the U.S. economy and a forecast for the future. The Economic Outlook Update is updated on a quarterly and monthly basis (4 quarterly issues and 12 monthly issues are produced each year). A subscription also includes access to all historical reports, which date back to 2003.

  • General Economic Conditions
  • Gross Domestic Product
  • Consumer Spending
  • Government Spending
  • Business Investments
  • Business Inventories
  • Trade Deficit
  • Consumer Prices and Inflation Rates
  • Energy Prices
  • Interest rates
  • Unemployment, Jobs Created, and Personal Income
  • Consumer Confidence and Sentiment
  • Business Optimism
  • Stock Markets and Volatility
  • Retail Sales
  • Treasury and Bond Markets
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Services Sector
  • Energy Prices
  • Real Estate
  • Economic Outlook and Forecast

Q: What is the format of the report?

A:  Each quarterly and monthly report is available for download via the website in three formats: PDF format, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel files. The Word file contains all the text for the report, the Excel file contains all the tables, charts, and graphs for the report, and the PDF contains a laid-out version of the report. Download a sample quarterly report or monthly report here.

For those who purchase individual reports, the report is delivered via email. The report is attached to the email in a single ZIP file. The ZIP file includes the same three files - a PDF file, a Microsoft Word and a Microsoft Excel file.

Q: When is the EOU published?

A: The EOU is published 16 times a year—12 monthly reports and 4 quarterly reports. The monthly EOU is published approximately four to five weeks after the month ends.

The quarterly EOU is published each year on these dates:

1st Quarter issue:  May 15th
2nd Quarter issue:  August 15th
3rd Quarter issue:  November 15th
4th Quarter issue:  February 15th

Q: Do I have permission to quote the contents of the Economic Outlook Update in a valuation report?

A: Your subscription to Economic Outlook Update comes complete with permission to quote all or part of the report in your own valuation report (with proper attribution). Full details for this copyright permission is included with every issue. You can purchase an annual subscription or a single report.

Q: Can I use the EOU in a litigation setting?

A: The Economic Outlook Update can be used in litigation engagements. Our founder and publisher emeritus, Shannon Pratt, CFA, FASA, MCBA, MCBC, CM&AA, wrote an article in which provides subscribers with further information useful to support the use of the report in litigation engagements. You can read a copy of the article “ Using the Economic Outlook Update” by clicking here.

Q: Why do some of the numbers and figures reported in past Economic Outlook Update reports change in subsequent reports??

A: When the Economic Outlook Update is published, it uses the most current information available from the respective reporting agencies (e.g. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, etc.). Over time, these reporting agencies go back and revise the numbers they published earlier.  The Economic Outlook Update provides the most up-to-date numbers, including any revisions the reporting agencies may make at a later date.