Indicators

Indicators are measurements that inform us about the condition of the key assets that comprise our wealth.  By measuring change over time, indicators tell us whether the condition of our assets is improving, declining, or remaining constant, and provide insights into the linkages between various forms of capital.

No set of indicators can be all-inclusive.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average, a widely respected indicator of stock market performance, does not include every stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  Nor does the Consumer Price Index measure the prices of all consumer goods.  Both indices, like the Sierra Nevada Wealth Index, are based on developing and monitoring a sample of indicators which, viewed together, provide a barometer of overall performance. 

The 60 indicators included in this web-based version of the Index were selected because:

• They are measurable and can be updated with existing and objective data sources.

• They measure the condition of assets of material importance to the Sierra Nevada’s wealth.

• They measure the condition of assets where active public interest exists.