One important gauge is a drop in the amount of electricity used by industry.

Independent stores make up about 15 percent of the total book market, but they are considered an important gauge of consumer demand.

The auctions are expected to be an important gauge of whether the market's sentiment has turned around.

The employment report is considered the most important single gauge of economic conditions.

The Clinton Administration welcomed the monthly job report, which is considered the most important single gauge of economic performance.

The ratings are considered an important gauge of a company's fiscal soundness.

The most important gauge of power supply effectiveness is the energy it can deliver.

Over the last year or so, the monthly trade figures have become widely viewed as the most important single gauge of American economic performance.

Unemployment statistics, an important gauge of economic activity, will be updated next Friday.

The Dow-Jones average is an important gauge of economic activity on the stock market.