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econscout
Analysis

Two series, one timeline

Overlay any two indicators over the window where both exist. Jan 1992 to Apr 2026.

First series
Second series
Y-axis
Levels (dual axis) Indexed to 100
Recessions
On Off
Retail Sales(Millions of dollars) Nonfarm Payrolls(Thousands of persons)
2001 RecessionGlobal Financial CrisisCOVID-19 Recession$200B$300B$400B$500B$600B$700B110M120M130M140M150M1995200020052010201520202025

Left axis: Retail Sales · RSAFS. 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.