As the U.S. government shutdown delays key economic data, the Equifax Advisors team steps in with deeper insights. Host Emmaline Aliff is joined by Jesse Hardin, Tom O’Neill, and Maria Urtubey to unpack the indicators that matter most when visibility is limited—and to debut the Market Pulse Index, a new holistic measure capturing the intersection of credit, income, assets, and financial behavior across populations.

Economist Justin Begley of Moody’s Analytics delivers our macroeconomic update.

In this episode:

What is the Market Pulse Index?

The Market Pulse Index is a new measure developed by Equifax Advisors that combines multiple financial dimensions—credit performance, income, debt, assets, and affluence—into one holistic view of consumer and market health. It helps lenders and policymakers understand economic conditions beyond single metrics like CPI or GDP.

Why is the Market Pulse Index important right now?

With the U.S. government shutdown delaying key data releases, traditional indicators such as the jobs report and GDP updates are unavailable. The Market Pulse Index fills this gap by integrating real-time, multi-source data to reveal trends in affordability, financial durability, and consumer well-being.

How does the Market Pulse Index differ from other metrics like CPI or GDP?

Unlike single-dimension indicators, the Market Pulse Index combines hard data (credit, income, assets) and soft data (consumer sentiment) to provide a multi-layered view of economic conditions. It can reveal disparities across populations, regions, and credit tiers—helping decision-makers identify who’s thriving and who’s struggling.

What is the K-shaped economy and how does it relate?

The K-shaped economy describes uneven recovery patterns—where high-income consumers see wealth gains while lower-income groups face rising debt and affordability challenges. The Market Pulse Index captures these differences, offering a clearer picture of financial resilience across demographic groups.

How can lenders and businesses use the Market Pulse Index?

Organizations can use the Market Pulse Index to:

• Track aggregate consumer health across income, geography, and age groups
• Identify emerging credit risks and opportunities
• Adjust lending and pricing strategies based on holistic insights
• Improve risk management and marketing segmentation

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