ECRI

While most economists “forecast” inflation swings, recessions, and other cyclical patterns by looking backward at the recent past, the research team at the Economic Cycle Research Institute (ECRI) relies on a sophisticated system of forward-looking indexes to understand international economic cycles. This ECRI framework was developed over three generations, including the second which was headed by Geoffrey H. Moore, arguably the father of modern business-cycle analysis. Founded by Dr. Moore, Lakshman Achuthan, and Anirvan Banerji in 1996, ECRI has accumulated a stellar record of forecasting turning points in inflation and economic growth. 

At ECRI, which maintains offices in New York, Lakshman Achuthan serves as Chief Operations Officer and managing editor of the organization’s publications. A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and graduate degree holder from Long Island University, he sits on the Levy Economics Institute of Bard College’s Board of Governors and Time magazine’s Board of Economists and acts as a trustee on several foundation boards. He joined Dr. Moore at Columbia University’s Center for International Business Cycle Research in 1991. Anirvan Banerji, ECRI’s Chief Research Officer and editor-in-chief of the forecasting publications, earned an undergraduate degree at the Indian Institute of Technology and graduate degrees at the Indian Institute of Management and Columbia University. A member of the New York City Economic Advisory Panel, he joined Dr. Moore at Columbia in 1986. In 2004, Mr. Achuthan and Mr. Banerji co-authored Beating the Business Cycle: How to Predict and Profit from Turning Points in the Economy. 

Although Dr. Moore died in 2000 at the age of 86, his work lives on through his protégés at ECRI. The research team at ECRI takes cycle forecasting to the next level, with leading indexes for inflation, employment, and economic growth as well as for the manufacturing, construction, services, and foreign-trade sectors. ECRI also provides international coverage of more than 20 economies, including the first-ever leading indicator systems for Brazil, India, and China. 

For membership and other ECRI information, visit www.businesscycle.com.