Consumer Price Index: Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels (COICOP 04): Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels: Total for Costa Rica
Quarterly
CRICP040500GPQ • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
-1.17
Year-over-Year Change
101.74%
Date Range
4/1/1995 - 10/1/2021
Summary
The Quarterly Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio measures the ratio of retail inventories to retail sales, providing insights into retail sector health and inventory management.
Analysis & Context
This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.
Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.
About This Dataset
This metric represents the relationship between retailer inventories and sales, indicating how efficiently retailers are managing their stocks. It is an important indicator of consumer demand and can signal future production and investment trends.
Methodology
The data is calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau based on monthly retail trade and inventory surveys.
Historical Context
Analysts and policymakers monitor this ratio to assess the retail sector's inventory management, consumer spending patterns, and broader economic conditions.
Key Facts
- The ratio ranges from 1.35 to 1.55 on average.
- Higher ratios indicate excess inventory, while lower ratios signal tighter inventory management.
- The ratio tends to rise ahead of recessions as consumer demand weakens.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The Quarterly Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio measures the relationship between retail inventories and retail sales, providing insights into the efficiency of retailers' inventory management.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This metric is an important indicator of consumer demand and can signal future production and investment trends, making it relevant for analysts, economists, and policymakers monitoring the retail sector and broader economic conditions.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau based on monthly retail trade and inventory surveys.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Analysts and policymakers monitor this ratio to assess the retail sector's inventory management, consumer spending patterns, and broader economic conditions, which can inform policy decisions.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published quarterly, and there may be some delays in reporting due to the time required to collect and process the underlying survey information.
Related Trends
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Quarterly Retail Inventory to Sales Ratio (CRICP040500GPQ), retrieved from FRED.