Beacon Economics

Upcoming Events & Appearances

August 9th - Beacon Principal Christopher Thornberg delivers his latest economic forecast for the United States to the leadership of the Credit Union National Association. Boston, Massachusetts.

August 11th - Beacon Director of Regional Research Brad Kemp presents a new economic outlook to the Tribal Council and other leadership of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Fort McDowell, Arizona.

August 18th - Beacon Principal Christopher Thornberg keynotes the North Bay Business Journal's 'Impact Napa' event, delivering a new economic forecast for the region and beyond. Napa, California.

September 3rd - Beacon Principal Christopher Thornberg delivers his latest forecast for the U.S. economy at the Self Storage Association's 2010 Fall Conference and Trade Show. Las Vegas, Nevada.

September 14th - Beacon Principal Christopher Thornberg keynotes the Economic Summit Conference & Business Expo hosted by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce with new outlooks for the U.S., California, and Bay Area regional economies. Richmond, California.

September 25th - Beacon Principal Christopher Thornberg brings a new economic forecast for the nation and California to a customer meeting of Wescom Credit Union. Anaheim, California.

September 30th - Beacon Principal Christopher Thornberg discusses the current and future state of the U.S. and California economies at a presentation for California United Bank. Encino, California.

In the Spotlight

Just Released! Hosting the 34th annual America's Cup match on San Francisco Bay could result in increased economic activity on the order of $1.4 billion - almost three times the estimated impact of hosting the Super Bowl. Read the complete America's Cup economic impact report prepared by Beacon Economics and the Bay Area Council Economic Institute for the San Francisco Mayor's Office.

The Beacon Employment Report: California lost 27,600 jobs in June, but don't let the numbers fool you. The loss was due almost exclusively to a cutback in temporary Census workers - something that has long been anticipated. Take away Census related losses and the state would have reported an overall gain in employment. Read the coverage in the Los Angeles Business Journal and the Central Valley Business Times. Also, see the latest seasonally adjusted employment stats from around the state and the nation at the Beacon Employment Report.

New California Trade Report: California's trade saw an impressive 25.7% gain in May 2010 over the same time last year. Export tonnage at San Francisco International Airport jumped by a whopping 48.7%, likely due to increased shipments of high-value electronic products from Silicon Valley. Still, the demand for California's goods will likely dampen in the future as governments worldwide curb spending. Read the latest coverage in the Sacramento Bee and Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. Also, visit Beacon's International Trade Report webpage and see new trade statistics for the U.S. and all 50 states.

U.S. & California Forecast: Beacon Economics' new forecast for the U.S. and California economies says "it's not that bad... but it's not that great either." While the short term (2010) is looking relatively bright, 2011 and 2012 may bring a considerable slow down in growth as government interventions, such as the temporary tax cuts, come to an end. See our predictions for U.S. and California employment, home prices, taxable sales, and much more. Click here to go to Beaconomics.

Beacon's Regional Forecasts Now Available! Beacon Economics' newest economic outlooks for Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and other regions across California are now available. Click here to go to The Regional Outlook.

Buzz from Beacon

The America's Cup on San Francisco Bay? How much of an economic benefit? Beacon Economics Principal Jon Haveman lays out the economic costs and benefits of hosting the world's premiere sailing event on San Francisco Bay. What would it mean for the Bay Area economy? Watch the interview with Phil Matier from CBS Channel 5.

What's holding up the pay out of $381 billion in stimulus funds? Beacon Economics Principal Christopher Thornberg discusses why approximately 48% of the $787 billion stimulus package approved by Congress has not been spent: "They told us right up front that some of this money was not going to be spent until 2011... stimulus money needs to be spent," Thornberg said. Watch the interview on Fox News Channel's Because You Asked.

San Mateo County's prospects bright. Beacon Economics Principal Jon Haveman sums up an analysis Beacon conducted for the San Mateo County Economic Development Association by saying various economic indicators show the County is "in a very good place" moving forward. Read the coverage in the San Jose Mercury News.

The economic outlook for San Francisco is not all grim. Beacon Economics Principal Jon Haveman was a headliner at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce's annual 1000-person CityBeat Breakfast where he delivered both troubling and hopeful news for the San Francisco economy. Read the coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner.

"If you don't have the ability to pay off the credit card at the end of the month, you shouldn't use it." Blunt advice and what's next for the U.S. economy from Beacon Principal Christopher Thornberg. Read Steve Lopez' full column in the Los Angeles Times.