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econscout
Analysis

Two series, one timeline

Overlay any two indicators over the window where both exist. Jan 1947 to Jan 2026.

First series
Second series
Real GDP (Billions of chained 2017 dollars) Nonfarm Payrolls (Thousands of persons)
1948-49 Recession1953-54 Recession1957-58 Recession1960-61 Recession1969-70 Recession1973-75 Recession1980 Recession1981-82 Recession1990-91 Recession2001 RecessionGlobal Financial CrisisCOVID-19 Recession$5T$10T$15T$20T60M80M100M120M140M19501960197019801990200020102020

Left axis: Real GDP · GDPC1. Right axis: Nonfarm Payrolls · PAYEMS. Both from FRED, latest-revised, read from cache.

Correlation is not causation. Two lines moving together is not one moving the other. A shared trend often traces back to a third force, or to chance. This tool overlays the data. It does not explain it.