Economics
High-Frequency Metrics Give a Better Picture of This Recession
Taking the pulse of the faltering U.S. economy requires more immediate data than the old standbys.
People wait in line for printed unemployment benefit applications in Hialeah, Fla., on April 7.
Photographer: Cristobal Herrera/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockThis article is for subscribers only.
Traditional indicators are no match for this fast-paced, virus-induced recession, which is why Eliza Winger and Tom Orlik of Bloomberg Economics have assembled an alternative set of high-frequency metrics.
Since mid-March, 22 million displaced workers have filed for unemployment benefits, at a pace averaging 5.5 million per week.