AP to launch quarterly economic data survey

The Associated Press said Thursday morning that it is launching the AP Economy Survey, a quarterly view of financial trends and policy affecting consumers around the world that will draw on the forecasts of as many as 50 leading economists.

The first survey findings will be reported in all formats on Monday, April 12.

The AP is surveying the economists — from banks, industry groups and academia — for their opinions about key indicators such as GDP, employment, inflation and interest rates.

The AP business news staff will use these findings, along with other relevant reporting, to offer a general prognosis on the economy for the quarter and the year ahead and drill into areas of special importance, including the housing market, consumer spending and food prices.

For example, the inaugural AP Economy Survey story on Monday will reveal widespread concern about the recovery. From employment to the housing market, the economists anticipate significant stresses on the economy for 2010 and 2011, and they expect this to influence federal economic policy.

“The AP Economy Survey was created to help our customers and readers make better business and personal financial decisions by keeping them abreast of the forecasts of the nation’s top economists,” said AP Business Editor Hal Ritter in a statement.

Data broken out from the survey will be posted online and presented in interactive charts and graphs. AP expects to conduct additional surveys as news dictates.