Module 3 Journal

Collect data on the following variables from 2006 to the present: Real GDP (quarterly) Unemployment rate (monthly) Inflation measured as change for one year ago in the CPI (monthly)

The easiest place to access macroeconomic data is through FRED: Federal Reserve Economic Database [https://fred.stlouisfed.org/].

Present graphs of the data along with the definitions of each measure. [FRED will automatically generate a graph but you need to adjust the dates to start in 2006 and then download.] A short description of the trends in each of these variables and what they tell us about the state of the economy. The gray bars in the FRED graphs correspond to recessions.

Format for journal assignment:

• Graph of Real GDP data, followed by definition of Real GDP and description of trend in real GDP since 2006
• Repeat for the other 2 measures
• Short analysis of what the three measures taken together tell us about the current state of the economy