Data Status Labels
What do the Final, Preliminary, and Forecast labels mean?
Intratec marks every figure with one of three status labels that signal how mature, or settled, the value is. Final denotes verified official statistics — the settled value that is not expected to change. Preliminary denotes a model-generated estimate that temporarily stands in while official data is unavailable or lagging, and that will later be revised. Forecast denotes a forward-looking, machine-learning model prediction for periods that have not yet been reported by any source.
When does a figure carry the Preliminary label?
A figure is labeled Preliminary when the relevant official source data has not yet arrived — typically a source lag of one to three months — and a model estimate is used in its place. The Preliminary label makes clear that the value is an interim estimate rather than a confirmed statistic, and that a revision is expected.
What moves a figure from Preliminary to Final?
A figure moves from Preliminary to Final once the official statistics for that period are released and verified. At that point the model estimate is replaced by the confirmed official value, and the label updates from Preliminary (P) to Final (Fi).
How can readers identify a figure's status?
Status labels appear directly alongside each value throughout Intratec's data tables and charts. This placement ensures a reader can always identify the maturity and basis of any number at the point of reading it, without consulting separate notes.