The Arkansas Economic Outlook
Dr. Michael Pakko
Chief Economist and State Economic Forecaster
Institute for Economic Advancement, UALR

UALR Arkansas Economic Forecast Conference
November 6, 2013
Overview
Arkansas’ Recent Experience
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Overview
GDP
Arkansas Coincident Index
Personal Income
Retail Sales
Home Sales (and Prices)
Employment & Unemployment

Arkansas Forecasts
Overview
Summary
• Arkansas has experienced a slow, bumpy
recovery
• By some measures, Arkansas has fallen
behind in the pace of expansion
• The broad macroeconomic outlook
suggests more of the same
• On the other hand … recent trends in
home sales suggest reason for optimism
• Forecast: On the high side of a slowgrowth scenario
Gross Domestic Product
U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product
15.8

Trillions of chained  (2005) dollars

15.6
15.4
15.2
15.0
14.8
14.6
14.4
14.2
14.0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

2012

2013
Gross Domestic Product
U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product Growth 
(Percent change, annual rates)

8
6
4

Percent

2
0
‐2
‐4
‐6
‐8
‐10
2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

2012

2013
Gross Domestic Product
Annual GDP Growth
3%

2%

1%

0%

-1%

-2%
U.S.

Arkansas

-3%
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

2011

2012
Arkansas’ Experience
A bumpy recovery:
Coincident Index of Economic Activity ‐ Arkansas
102

Index, 2007Q4=100

100

98

96

94

92

90
2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

2013
Arkansas’ Experience
A bumpy recovery:
Arkansas Coincident Index - Growth Rates
4%

Monthly growth rate (SAAR)

2%

0%

-2%

-4%

-6%

2009

2010

2011

2012

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

2013
Personal Income
Arkansas Personal Income ‐ 2013 Revisions
110

Billions of dollars

105
100
95
90
85
Previously Published

Revised

80
2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

2012

2013
Personal Income
Employee and Employer Contributions for Social Insurance        
(as percentages of Wages and Salaries plus Proprietors' Income)
9.0%

8.0%

7.0%

6.0%
Employee and Self‐Employed

Employer

5.0%
2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

2012

2013
Personal Income
Dividends, Interest, and Rent 
(as a percent of Total Personal Income)
20%

19%

18%

17%
Actual

Hypothetical

16%
2010

2011
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

2012

2013
Personal Income
Effects of Tax Policy Changes on Arkansas Personal Income
108

+2.5%

-0.9%

106
+1.9%

104

+0.7%

Actual
Billions of dollars

102

Adjusted
100

+3.7%

98
+2.7%

96
94
92
90
2010Q1

2011Q1

2012Q1

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

2013Q1
Personal Income

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Personal Income

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Personal Income

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Personal Income

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Taxable Sales

Sources: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Oil Price Information Service, Institute for Economic Advancement.
Taxable Sales
Growth Rates of Arkansas Taxable Sales
(Seasonally Adjusted)

2012:Q3

Change from Previous 
Quarter  
ATS
ATSIG
‐2.5%
‐2.1%

Change from One 
Year Earlier
ATS
ATSIG
‐0.5%
‐0.5%

2012:Q4

3.5%

3.3%

1.3%

1.2%

2013:Q1

0.2%

0.2%

0.5%

0.0%

2013:Q2

3.1%

2.4%

4.3%

3.8%

2013:Q3(P)

‐1.7%

‐1.7%

5.1%

4.2%

(P) = Preliminary

Sources: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Oil Price Information Service, Institute for Economic Advancement.
Taxable Sales

Sources: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Oil Price Information Service, Institute for Economic Advancement, Census Bureau.
Home Sales
Homes sold in Arkansas by Realtors®
(Not Seasonally Adjusted)
3,200
2,800
2,400
2,000
1,600
1,200
September observations

800
Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul
2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Sources: Arkansas Realtors® Association, Institute for Economic Advancement.

2013
Home Sales
Homes sold in Arkansas by Realtors®
(Seasonally Adjusted)
3,200
Nov. 2009

Apr. 2010

2,800
2,400
2,000
1,600
1,200
800
Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul
2008
2013
2010
2011
2012
2009
Sources: Arkansas Realtors® Association, Institute for Economic Advancement.
Home Sales
ARA vs. NAR Home Sales, Arkansas
140

Index, 2009:Q1=100

130

120

110

100

90

NAR, Existing

ARA, New & Existing

80

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Sources: Arkansas Realtors® Association, National Association of Realtors®, Institute for Economic Advancement.
Home Prices
FHFA House Prices
Expanded‐Data Indexes (Seasonally Adjusted)
105

Index, 2007:Q1=100

100
95

Arkansas
90
85

U.S.
80
75
70
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)

2012

2013
Home Prices

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)
Home Prices
FHFA House Price Changes (All‐Transactions Indexes, Seasonally Adjusted)
Percent Changes*
1 quarter 2 quarters 1 year
2 years

5 years

Fayetteville‐Springdale‐Rogers

2.2

3.9

5.0

6.6

‐11.0

Fort Smith

0.5

0.5

0.9

2.3

0.3

Hot Springs

0.8

1.1

2.9

0.6

‐5.6

Jonesboro

1.1

1.7

2.1

6.1

5.5

Little Rock‐N. Little Rock‐Conway

0.0

0.3

1.4

2.4

‐0.3

Memphis

0.9

1.3

1.4

1.6

‐10.4

Pine Bluff

2.8

1.0

1.0

0.5

‐2.6

Texarkana

3.5

‐0.2

3.2

1.9

6.1

Arkansas 

0.7

1.4

2.8

3.1

‐2.8

United States

1.9

3.4

4.1

4.2

‐10.2

*Percent changes to 2013:Q2.
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)
Building Permits
Single Family Building Permits

350
300

Index, 2009:Q1=100

250
200
150
100
50
ARKANSAS

Fayetteville MSA

Little Rock MSA

0
2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Moody’s

2012

2013
Unemployment
Unemployment Rates, Arkansas and U.S.
11
10

U.S.

Percent

9
8

Arkansas
7
6
5
4
Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2012

2013
Unemployment
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) - Arkansas

Unemployment
112

Thousands

108
104
100
96
92

Jan

Apr

Jul

Oct

2010

Jan

Apr

Jul

Oct

2011

Jan

Apr

Jul

Oct

2012

Jan

Apr

Jul

Apr

Jul

Apr

Jul

2013

Employment 

1,270

Thousands

1,260
1,250
1,240
1,230
1,220

Jan

Apr

Jul

Oct

2010

Jan

Apr

Jul

Oct

Jan

Apr

Jul

Oct

Jan
2013

2012

2011

Labor Force 

1,380
1,370

Thousands

1,360
1,350
1,340
1,330
1,320

Jan
2010

Apr

Jul

Oct

Jan
2011

Apr

Jul

Oct

Jan

Apr

Jul

2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Oct

Jan
2013
Unemployment
Labor Force Participation Rates
67
66

U.S.
65
64

Percent

63
62

Arkansas
61
60
59
58
57
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2012

2013
Unemployment

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employment

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employment
Arkansas Employment
1,340

Thousands, Seasonally Adjusted

1,300

Household Survey
1,260

1,220

Payroll Survey
1,180

1,140

QCEW
1,100
Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2012

2013
Employment
Current Employment Statistics:
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Employment - August 2013*
Employment changes (thousands of jobs) from:

Year ago

Feb 2010

Dec 2007

Mining & Logging

0.0

0.3

0.4

Construction

-0.3

-1.9

-9.5

Manufacturing

-0.6

-4.1

-33.4

Wholesale Trade

-1.7

-0.4

-2.6

Retail Trade

7.0

11.1

4.1

Transportation & Utilities

3.9

6.9

-1.5

Information Services

-0.1

-1.2

-3.4

Financial Services

0.5

0.4

-3.5

Professional & Business Services

2.0

8.6

7.1

Education & Health Services

4.9

11.7

20.2

Leisure & Hospitality Services

-0.9

3.9

0.4

Other Services

-1.3

-1.0

-3.5

Government

-1.2

0.0

2.4

TOTAL

12.2

34.3

-22.8

* Seasonally adjusted data.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Economic Outlook
"I have seen the future and it is very
much like the present, only longer."
- Kehlog Albran, The Profit
Forecast Methodology
Model: Arkansas Baseline from Moody’s Analytics.
Structural econometric model of the U.S. Economy
Arkansas linked to US forecast, by sector
Forecast tied to Moody’s macroeconomic U.S. model
Alternative Forecast Paths:
Moody’s
Wells Fargo
NABE
Wall Street Journal
Macroeconomic Advisers
PNC Financial
Etc. …
Real GDP
U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product Growth 
(Percent change, annual rates)
6
4

Q4/Q4
Growth (%)

2

2012
Percent

‐2
‐4
‐6
‐8
‐10
2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

1.9
2.3

2015

Forecast

2013
2014

0

2.0

2.8
Real GDP
Arkansas Real GDP Growth
4%
3.0%

3%

2.6%

2.6%

2.7%

2%
1.3%

1%

0.7%
0.3%

0%
-1%
-2%
-2.0%

Actual

Forecast

-3%
2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015
Personal Income

Q4/Q4
Growth (%)
2012

5.3

2013

2.0

2014

4.1

2015

4.5
Retail Sales

Q4/Q4
Growth (%)
2012

1.2

2013

2.0

2014

5.6

2015

4.6
Home Sales
Sales
(Pct. Change)
2011

24.4K
‐1.2%

2012  

24.0K
‐1.1%

2013

26.7K
+13.8%

2014

28.6K
+7.2%

2015

28.8K
+0.8%
Employment
Q4/Q4 Growth
2011

+12.2K
+1.0%

2012  

+4.2K
+0.4%

2013

+8.6K
+0.7%

2014

+22.5K
+1.9%

2015

+23.6K
+1.9%
Employment
Employment Growth Forecasts by Sector (Q4/Q4)
Thousands

Percent

2012

2013

2014

2015

2012

2013

2014

2015

4.2

8.6

22.5

23.6

0.4

0.7

1.9

1.9

 Natural resources and Mining

‐1.4

0.1

0.1

0.1

‐12.0

1.5

1.0

1.2

 Construction

‐2.1

1.5

2.3

1.4

‐4.4

3.2

4.8

2.9

 Manufacturing

‐2.1

‐1.0

‐0.5

0.3

‐1.3

‐0.7

‐0.3

0.2

7.8

4.1

0.8

1.4

3.3

1.6

0.3

0.6

 Wholesale Trade

0.8

‐0.6

0.2

0.4

1.8

‐1.3

0.5

0.8

 Retail Trade

4.4

4.5

0.4

0.6

3.3

3.3

0.3

0.4

 Transportation & Utilities

2.6

0.2

0.2

0.4

4.2

0.3

0.3

0.7

‐0.3

0.0

0.3

0.3

‐2.0

0.2

2.1

1.9

0.5

0.0

0.5

0.8

1.1

0.1

1.1

1.6

‐1.6

3.2

4.4

5.3

‐1.3

2.6

3.5

4.1

 Education & Health Services

2.7

4.4

5.5

6.0

1.6

2.5

3.1

3.3

 Leisure & Hospitality

1.4

0.6

4.4

4.6

1.4

0.6

4.2

4.3

 Other Services

0.1

‐1.8

0.4

0.6

0.2

‐4.1

1.0

1.3

‐0.9

‐2.6

4.2

2.7

‐0.4

‐1.2

2.0

1.2

‐0.1

‐0.9

‐0.1

‐0.1

‐0.6

‐4.2

‐0.7

‐0.8

 State government

0.4

0.6

2.1

1.5

0.5

0.8

2.7

1.9

 Local government

‐1.1

‐2.3

2.3

1.3

‐0.9

‐1.9

2.0

1.1

 Total Nonagricultural

 Trade, Transportation & Utilities

 Information
 Financial Activities
 Professional & Business Services

 Government
 Federal Government
Unemployment

End of Year
(Q4)
2012

7.2

2013

7.3

2014

6.6

2015

5.9
Arkansas Economist
For more information and analysis of the Arkansas Economy,
visit the Arkansas Economist: www.arkansaseconomist.com

2013 Arkansas Economic Forecast - Michael Pakko