The three-month average of the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) is expected to rise fractionally in the June update that's scheduled for tomorrow (July 23), based on The Capital Spectator's average point forecast for several econometric estimates. The projection for -0.12 is slightly above the -0.16 reading for May, which reflects a below-average pace of economic growth for the US relative to the historical trend. Only negative values below -0.70 indicate an “increasing likelihood” that a recession has started, according to guidelines from the Chicago Fed. Using today's estimate for June as a guide, CFNAI's three-month average is expected to reflect an expansion that's below the historical trend rate but still well above the tipping point that marks the start of a new recession.

Here's a closer look at the numbers, followed by brief definitions of the methodologies behind The Capital Spectator's projections that are used to calculate the average forecast:

VAR-4A: A vector autoregression model that analyzes four economic time series to project the Chicago Fed National Activity Index: the Capital Spectator's Economic Trend & Momentum Indexes, the Philadelphia Fed US Leading Indicator, and the Philadelphia Fed US Coincident Economic Activity Indicator. VAR analyzes the interdependent relationships of these series with CFNAI through history. The forecasts are run in R with the “vars” package.

VAR-4B: A vector autoregression model that analyzes four economic time series to project the Chicago Fed National Activity Index: US private payrolls, real personal income less current transfer receipts, real personal consumption expenditures, and industrial production. VAR analyzes the interdependent relationships of these series with CFNAI through history. The forecasts are run in R with the “vars”package.