Interesting Facts & Figures about the U.S. economy

The U.S. is the world’s largest economy so no study of economics, business and finance would be complete if you didn’t follow some of the big macro trends of that country.

Here some interesting numbers I’ve managed to glean:

[Unless otherwise specified, the numbers are as of Sept 30, 2011]

• It is much cheaper to buy [a home] on average, than rent in the U.S.
• The median price of a home is $163,000 (as of Aug 2011).
• Average stock price to earnings [P/E ratios] are lower now than 1 year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago and 15 years ago.
• The Great Depression of the early 1930’s was more than 5 times worse in terms of real GDP than the U.S. financial crisis of 2008 -2009.
• Defense represents $703 billion or about 20% of the U.S. 2011 Budget.
• Health care has produced the most increase in jobs over the last 20 years.
• S&P 500 earnings per share is higher now than the peak of the stock market in 2007. Yet the S&P 500 Index is about 20% lower (as of Dec 13, 2011)
• Since 1900, U.S. economic expansions have lasted on average 44 months and economic contractions (recessions) have lasted 15 months.

Source: J.P. Morgan