Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Recovery Indicators Have a Good Month

Published September 4, 2014

July 2014 Printing Shipments up +2.6%, Two Consecutive Months of Growth

Published September 4, 2014

Sept 4th Key Recovery Indicators

Published September 4, 2014

Dr. Joe's Key Recovery Indicators were started in 2009, and track the monthly ups and downs of the economy in terms that are relevant to small and mid-size businesses.

Global Bond Rates May Make it Hard for the Fed to Affect US Long-Term Rates

Published August 29, 2014

The Fed has been in unchartered territory with its post-2008 actions, and unwinding them may take a bit of creativity. One of their obstacles might be the rates of long term government bonds around the world. The chart below shows the yield of 10-year bonds earlier this week. The rate on US 10-year bonds is more than 4x Japan's and more than 2x Germany's. In an odd situation, US bonds are actually paying less than those of Spain. Global investors looking for yield (pension funds, governments, mutual funds, and others) may thwart Fed actions by finding US funds to be compelling deals on a relative basis. The Fed can usually affect only short term rates, which was one of the reasons they became aggressive in buying long term debt in their Quantitative Easing (QE) actions. Getting yields down for all durations is what made their actions were essentially unprecedented for the US. If they attempt to sell their holdings quickly to raise rates, there might be more buyers than they anticipate, making the action fruitless. It still looks like once the QE buying is done in the next few weeks the Fed will simply let their most of their holdings mature rather than force-feed them to the market. Listen for the word “macroprudential” in the next months. That's how Fed officials are describing the gentle prodding they may have to take to reverse their course. It turns out that some of the Fed members are worried their actions may encounter resistance, so they will resort to some arm-twisting to push banks to act in the manner they want. That hasn't worked well in the past, and it probably won't work well now, but it does add a word to our vocabulary.

First Revision to Q2-2014 GDP is Up, Now Estimated at +4.2%

Published August 28, 2014

Inflation-adjusted Commercial & Industrial Loans Growing

Published August 22, 2014

Commercial and industrial loans took a while to start growing again, almost two years after the recovery started. Loans now total $1.7 trillion, the highest amount in the history of the data series, a little more than 10% of GDP. Overall, they are up about 40% on a current dollar basis since mid-2010.

Dr. Joe Rambles About Marketing, Printed Electronics, Staples, and Retail Sales

Published August 21, 2014

Initial Jobless Claims as a Percentage of the Workforce

Published August 15, 2014

As the number of employed workers has been slowly increasing, and the total workforce has been growing, initial claims for unemployment have been decreasing. The historical perspective is very interesting. This past recession, as bad as it was, did not come close to the levels of the 1970s and 1980s recessions (about 0.6% of the workforce). This most recent recovery is already at the best levels of prior expansions. It doesn't feel “that good”; what's different? The workforce has not kept up with population growth, and about 2 million workers have permanently left the workforce. Also, companies have been cautious in their hiring, meaning, that there are fewer workers to dismiss when businesses of the past needed to. One could look at the chart and say that when this ratio reaches this current level (0.2%) a recession has always followed. Probably not in this case: this ratio may go to unprecedented lower levels because of the workforce exodus and the slow pace of hiring that has made this recovery so different than previous ones. Economist Mark Perry at the American Enterprise Institute discussed the steady rise in job openings at his blog. They are at a 13-year high (not adjusted for population growth), and still less than January 2000 by 800,000.

NFIB Small Business Index Up Slightly

Published August 14, 2014

Latest Recovery Indicators

Published August 8, 2014

Dr. Joe's Key Recovery Indicators were started in 2009, and track the monthly ups and downs of the economy in terms that are relevant to small and mid-size businesses.

Recovery Indicators Mixed, Strong ISM New Orders Data; A Different Look at Employment

Published August 5, 2014

June US Commercial Printing Shipments Rise +4.2%; First Half of 2014 Down -2.2%

Published August 5, 2014

Q2 Advance GDP Strong +4%, "Cancels" Bad Q1

Published July 30, 2014

GDP Data Revised Down for 2011 and 2012, Revised Up for 2013

Published July 30, 2014

EDDM Does Not Mean Elastic Demand Direct Mail

Published July 24, 2014

Dr. Janet & Dr. Joe

Published July 17, 2014

Inflation multipliers have been updated

Published July 17, 2014

NFIB Small Business Index Breaks Through 2003 Recession Bottom for Last Two Months

Published July 10, 2014

The NFIB index has been trapped between the bottom of two recessions, that of the early 1990s and the early 2000s recession bottom. Though the latest report retreated a bit, it's still above the 2003 low. Small business is improving at a very slow pace, but this may finally be a good sign after the very disappointing Q1 GDP report.

Recovery Indicators Improve, Unemployment Report Better

Published July 3, 2014

Recovery Indicators Improve

Published July 3, 2014

The recovery indicators were mainly better this month, with the NASDAQ bouncing around then finishing well, and three of the four ISM indicators increasing. The one that didn’t is still firmly in expansion territory. The original estimate of proprietors’ income was $1,371 then it was reduced to $1,366 billion and now it’s $1,359.

May 2014 Commercial Printing Shipments Raise Concerns

Published July 2, 2014

Q1-2014 GDP Revised Down to -2.9%; Will We Start Hearing the "R" Word?

Published June 25, 2014

Advertising Agency Revenues Still Climbing

Published June 24, 2014

The chart below shows the latest revenue data, on an inflation-adjusted basis, for ad agencies and publishers. Note how ad agency revenues are rising. While there have always been agencies that specialize in certain media, like television, direct mail, or others, the industry is media agnostic in the aggregate. Its job is to increase the positive visibility of its clients and help spur their customers into action.

Ad Agencies Increasing Revenues in the Digital Media Era; Publishers Get Socked

Published June 24, 2014

RetailMeNot's report tells retailers to "stop doing something old," referring to us

Published June 19, 2014

RetailMeNot's report and the infographic are essential reading for print business owners because they offer a media executive's perspective on the nature of print. The executives perceptions of digital media are quite clear: "Seventy-five percent believe that digital consistently delivers better ROI – or "promotional performance" – at a lower cost than non-digital."

Selected Generally “Non-Offset” Products and Services Offered by US Commercial Printers

Published June 18, 2014

What "Other" Services Do Commercial Printers Offer?

Published June 16, 2014

Latest Print and Content Creation Employment Data

Published June 11, 2014

Unemployment Rate Steady at 6.3%; Data Imply Stabilizing Labor Market

Published June 6, 2014

Recovery Indicators Better in a Mixed Kind of Way

Published June 5, 2014

Since June 2009, rate of overall USPS price increases almost 4x the rate of increase in commercial printing prices

Published June 5, 2014

April 2014 US Commercial Printing Shipments $6.71 Billion

Published June 3, 2014

GDP for Q1-2014 revised to -1%; A Sign of Recession or Inventory Correction?

Published May 29, 2014

US Commercial Printers Report Improved Business Conditions in Latest WhatTheyThink Survey

Published May 29, 2014

Though Q1-2014 GDP was -1%, the Year-to-Year Trend Remains in the +2% Range

Published May 29, 2014

The Bureau of Economic Analysis released the second revision of Q1-2014 US Gross Domestic Product (GDP), indicating a contraction of the US economy in the quarter. As reported in prior (“laughable and embarassing”) analysis, an inventory buildup in the last two quarters of 2013 distorted the underlying condition of the economy.

Q1-2014 Business Conditions Compared to Q1-2013

Published May 29, 2014

Business conditions were generally good, with more than 33% reporting business increases of 6% or more. About 13% of respondents indicated business decreases of 6% or more

New York Times Internal Document about Their Digital Media Woes Has Lessons for All

Published May 22, 2014

I Was Wrong – Don't Stay Ahead of Your Clients – Stay Ahead of Their Bosses

Published May 15, 2014

Labor Market Net Hiring Turns Negative

Published May 15, 2014

US employment data has many cross-currents: the unemployment rate is down, but the labor participation rate is at 35-year lows. Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics published its JOLTS report, which shows they dynamic factors at play in the labor market. This chart shows the percentage of hires less the number of quits on a year-to-year basis. Note in the chart below the rapid rise in employment as the recession ended and the recovery began, and also how it has narrowed and turned negative in recent months. It's been mainly negative for about 18 months.

Q1-2014 US Commercial Printing Shipments Down -4% Compared to 2013

Published May 8, 2014

March 2013 US commercial printing shipments were down -$148 million (-2.2%) compared to 2012. The first quarter was down -$770 billion (-4%). On an inflation-adjusted basis, shipments were down -$270 million (-5.4%) and down -$1.05 billion (-5.4%) for the quarter.

Recovery Indicators Rebound; Q1-2014 GDP Below 1% but Corrects for Business Inventory Misjudgments

Published May 8, 2014

The recovery indicators rebounded since last month. New orders for manufacturers remained at the same level that indicates growth.

April Printing Employment +1,000; Is It Real?

Published May 7, 2014

Q1-2014 US Commercial Printing Shipments Down -4% Compared to 2013

Published May 7, 2014

April Printing Employment +1,000

Published May 7, 2014

Printing employment in April rose by 1,000 workers. It is always hard to determine if these were actual workers or if the changes were the result of issues with the estimation models of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Production workers were the greatest part of the increase (800).

Recovery Indicators Rebound; Q1-2014 GDP Below 1% but Corrects for Business Inventory Misjudgments

Published May 6, 2014

Table of Latest Inflation Multipliers

Published April 23, 2014

Below is the latest set of multipliers based on the Consumer Price Index. Multiply your historical financial statements by the figures below to adjust data to the CPI for the first quarter of this year.

Latest Inflation Multipliers Q1-2014

Published April 22, 2014

Printing Industry Shipments and Profits

Published April 18, 2014

For the year, profits were $4.34 billion. On an inflation-adjusted basis, that was the highest level of industry profits since 2007. This is despite there being $28 billion less printing shipments, 8,000 fewer printing establishments, and 73,000 fewer employees. It was the best profits per establishment ($173,000) since 2000.

Profits per Print Establishment Best Since 2000; Annual Industry Profits Best Since 2007

Published April 17, 2014

Employment-Population Ratio Still Below Pre-Recession Levels

Published April 10, 2014

One of the measures of the health of the labor market is the comparison of the total population to civilian employment. This measure has yet to approach levels achieved prior to the recession. This measure is important because it follows the growth in population. The number of workers is now nearly what it was at the start of the recession, but population has grown about 6% since that time. In rough terms, this means that the economy is short about 5.6 million jobs.

Employment Report Stays Mixed

Published April 7, 2014

Did You Wish the iPad a Happy Fourth Birthday?

Published April 7, 2014

Employment Changes in the Printing and Content Creation Industries

Published April 7, 2014

February Printing Shipments Down, and Not Just Because It's a Short Month

Published April 3, 2014

Recovery Indicators Still Sideways, but Improve in Last Month

Published April 3, 2014

Preferences and Actions are Vastly Different; The ROI of Print

Published March 24, 2014

Dr. Joe Webb on "Unsquaring the Wheel"

Published March 18, 2014

Dr. Joe Webb talks to Cary Sherburne about "Unsquaring the Wheel", a new venture with RIT that aims to help companies assess their business in 3 main areas: Platform, Customers, and Resources.

Organic Growth is Essential for Healthy Printing Businesses

Published March 17, 2014

Ad Agency Revenues On Steady Rise Higher

Published March 16, 2014

Ad Agency Revenues On Steady Rise Higher

Published March 16, 2014

Since the second quarter of 2007, the first quarter for which we can create four-quarter inflation-adjusted moving totals, ad agency revenues are up more than 13%. Publishing industries have note fared well at all.

Unemployment Report "Little Changed," Media Shift Continues to Reshape Markets

Published March 7, 2014

January 2014 US Printing Shipments Down; Final Shipments Data for 2013

Published March 6, 2014

US Commercial Printing Industry Demographics, 2011 to 2018

Published March 6, 2014

In recent weeks, readers have asked for industry demographics and some prognostication about them. The data tables are below. But first, some information about the data and where they come from. Get a strong coffee.

Recovery Indicators Perk Up, But Two are Still Below Recession Levels

Published March 5, 2014

Q4-2013 GDP Revised Down from +3.2% to +2.4%, Consistent with Last Month's Analysis

Published February 28, 2014

Does Being a “Marketing Services Provider” Make a Difference? In 2013 it Did, but Not for Everyone

Published February 26, 2014

Many printers have started promoting themselves as “marketing service providers” (MSPs), almost to the point that the terms “printer” and MSP are synonymous.

How Survivorship and Merger Activities Affect Industry Survey Results and Statistics

Published February 20, 2014

Ad Agency Employment Surpasses Commercial Printing Employment

Published February 7, 2014

Advertising Agency Employment Surpasses Commercial Printing, Reflecting the Shift from Traditional Media

Published February 7, 2014

The major news in the data update is that employment in advertising agencies surpassed that of the printing industry in July 2013. For 2013, printing employment was down by -12,600 (-2.8%). The biggest change was in employees outside of production who were -8,400 of that decline (-5.7%). Graphic design employment was down slightly for the year, but these data do not include freelancers, which are an essential part of that business. Inside the advertising agency employment data are public relations employees, the main area of employment growth in this sector.

Five of Six Recovery Indicators Retreat; Two Fall Below December 2007 Recession Levels

Published February 6, 2014

2013 US Commercial Printing Shipments Reach $77.6 Billion

Published February 4, 2014

2013 US Commercial Printing Shipments Reach $77.6 Billion

Published February 4, 2014

The Department of Commerce released December 2013 and revised November data. December shipments were $6.271B (-3.7% vs. Dec. 2012). On a current dollar basis, the total for the year was $77.6B, -3.8%. After adjusting for inflation using the Consumer Price Index, shipments were down -5.1%. The chart below shows current dollar and inflation-adjusted shipments starting with 2007

Inflation-adjusted US Printing and Print Services Shipments

Published February 4, 2014

GDP Shows Sluggish Economy; Inventory Build-up Continues; Small Business Retreats

Published January 30, 2014

Latest Inflation Multipliers: Print is Getting Cheaper Every Day. Really?

Published January 22, 2014

The USPS Sneaks a Rate Increase on Christmas Eve; Media Irrelevance Must be Their Objective

Published January 14, 2014

Printing Employment Declines, Public Relations Employment Grows: A Changing Media Mix Ripples Through the Marketplace

Published January 14, 2014

Recovery Indicators Take a Step Back

Published January 14, 2014

Inflation-adjusted Annualized US Publishing & Advertising Agency Revenues

Published January 14, 2014

This chart shows the inflation-adjusted revenue trends for selected content-creation businesses. Note how advertising revenues have increased despite the declines in the revenues to publishers. Agencies have shifted much of their efforts to developing “earned media” (a/k/a search engines, social media, e-marketing and numerous other digital formats), and the production of it.

Dr. Joe Recalculates the Unemployment Rate: It Improves to 7.1%, but Problems Remain; Printing Employment Holds Its Own, Unless You're a Supervisor

Published November 8, 2013

Articles by Dr. Joe Webb