ITR Economics
An Economic Forecasting and Business Intelligence Consulting Firm
ITR Economics is an economic forecasting and consulting firm that provides business leaders with economic analysis, forecasting services, and strategic planning guidance. Founded in 1948, the organization describes itself as the oldest privately held, continuously operating economic research and consulting firm in the United States.
The firm focuses on helping organizations interpret economic trends, anticipate business cycle changes, and make operational and strategic decisions using forward-looking economic data and forecasting methodologies.
Core Areas of Service
ITR Economics organizes its services around several major business planning and forecasting functions, including:
- Economic forecasting
- Strategic and budget planning
- Sales and demand forecasting
- Capital investment timing
- Industry and market analysis
- Risk identification and management planning
The organization works with businesses, trade associations, and industry groups across sectors such as:
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Distribution
- Finance
- Wholesale trade
- Private equity
Forecasting Methodology
A defining characteristic of ITR Economics is its proprietary forecasting approach based on:
- Business cycle theory
- Leading indicators
- Rate-of-change analysis
The firm emphasizes that economic trends are cyclical rather than linear and uses “rates-of-change” calculations to identify:
- Turning points in markets
- Accelerating or slowing growth trends
- Approaching recessionary or recovery phases
Its methodology includes a proprietary four-phase business cycle model that categorizes economic activity into stages such as:
- Recovery
- Accelerating growth
- Slowing growth
- Recession
The company states that each phase is associated with specific “Management Objectives™,” which are intended to guide leadership decisions during changing economic conditions.
Data and Forecasting Tools
ITR Economics offers both consulting services and subscription-based forecasting tools.
These include:
- Industry-specific forecasting reports
- Online forecasting dashboards
- Leading indicator analysis tools
- Company-level forecasting systems such as DataCast Essentials™ and DataCast Pro™
According to the company, these tools are designed to help organizations:
- Forecast sales demand
- Benchmark performance
- Identify market opportunities
- Prepare for economic slowdowns or expansions
The platform also integrates company-specific data with macroeconomic and industry-level indicators to support customized forecasting and planning.
Consulting and Advisory Services
The firm provides consulting engagements ranging from:
- One-time economic outlook presentations
- Executive briefings
- Ongoing strategic advisory relationships
Consulting services commonly focus on:
- Strategic planning
- Inventory and hiring timing
- Pricing strategy
- Market expansion decisions
- Capital expenditure timing
- Long-range business planning
The organization states that its economists work directly with leadership teams to interpret economic conditions and align business strategies with forecasted market trends.
Forecast Accuracy and Positioning
ITR Economics prominently emphasizes forecast accuracy as part of its positioning.
The company reports an overall forecast accuracy rate of approximately 94.7% at one year out, based on its internal measurement methodology.
The firm also positions itself as:
- Data-driven
- Independent
- Apolitical
- Focused on practical business application
Its materials emphasize long-duration forecasting and providing “a stake in the ground” rather than continuously changing short-term projections.
Educational and Media Content
In addition to consulting, ITR Economics distributes educational and thought leadership content through:
- Webinars and speaking engagements
- Podcasts such as Trends Talk
- Weekly economic update programs such as Fed Watch
- Industry reports and newsletters
These resources are designed to help business leaders monitor:
- Economic indicators
- Interest rate policy
- Market cycles
- Industry-specific trends
Relationship With Crowe LLP
ITR Economics is affiliated with Crowe LLP, a large public accounting and consulting firm.
According to published materials, this relationship combines:
- Crowe’s consulting and transaction advisory services
- ITR’s economic forecasting and industry analysis capabilities
The collaboration is positioned as supporting:
- Strategic planning
- Due diligence
- M&A advisory work
- Long-term economic forecasting and market analysis
Position Within the Economic Forecasting Industry
ITR Economics operates within the broader economic forecasting and consulting sector, alongside:
- University-affiliated forecasting centers
- Economic consulting firms
- Financial and macroeconomic research organizations
Its positioning differs from purely academic forecasting organizations by emphasizing:
- Practical business applications
- Industry-specific forecasting
- Operational decision support
- Management-oriented recommendations