Tag: economy

March 29, 2021

New US Jobless Claims Drop Below 700,000, 1st Time Since Pandemic: Gov’t

New US Jobless Claims Drop Below 700,000, 1st Time Since Pandemic: Gov’t

The drop of 97,000 from the prior's week's upwardly revised figure was much better than analysts forecast. Agence France-Presse MAR 25, 2021 New filings for regular unemployment benefits in the United States dropped to 684,000 last week, the government said Thursday, their first reading below 700,000 since the pandemic sparked mass layoffs. The drop ofRead More

March 15, 2021

Survey: 88% of Manufacturers Optimistic about 2021

Survey: 88% of Manufacturers Optimistic about 2021

The National Association of Manufacturers’ quarterly record of manufacturer optimism hit its highest point in two years. IW Staff MAR 09, 2021 Most U.S. manufacturers see clear skies ahead, according to a new survey released by the National Association of Manufacturers. A majority, 87.6% of 450 respondents, of small, medium and large businesses reported feelingRead More
Retail Will Grow Dramatically First Half of 2021

Retail Will Grow Dramatically First Half of 2021

"The supply chain slowdown we usually see after the holiday season never really happened this winter, and imports are already starting to grow again," said Jonathan Gold, of National Retail Federation. MH&L Staff MAR 09, 2021 As increased vaccination and continued in-store safety measures enable additional shopping options, imports at the nation’s largest retail containerRead More

March 1, 2021

Manufacturing in February: Rapid Growth Checked by Supply Hurdles

Manufacturing in February: Rapid Growth Checked by Supply Hurdles

According to the ISM, U.S. industry is still bedeviled by supply inconsistencies despite growing production and demand. Data from the Institute for Supply Management show that the manufacturing sector grew in February at a faster rate than it had in January. The ISM’s Purchasing Manager’s Index hit 60.8, 2.1 points higher than January’s 58.7. ARead More

February 3, 2021

January Manufacturing Sustains Growth, Supply Difficulties

January Manufacturing Sustains Growth, Supply Difficulties

The Industry for Supply Management’s manufacturing index fell to 58.7%. Ryan Secard FEB 02, 2021 The manufacturing sector continued growing for an eighth straight month in January as the Institute for Supply Management’s Purchasing Manager’s Index for sector growth fell 1.8 points to 58.7% compared to December. The overall economy also grew, sustaining a parallelRead More

February 1, 2021

US wages rise by 4% in fourth quarter, but loss of low-wage jobs affects average

US wages rise by 4% in fourth quarter, but loss of low-wage jobs affects average

Released on January 27, 2021 US workers’ wages rose by 4.4% in the fourth quarter with the average wage rising by $1.27 to $30.19 per hour, according to the ADP Research Institute’s Workforce Vitality report. But a look behind the number tells a different story. Average wage growth is higher than expected because of significantRead More

January 26, 2021

76% of US companies say hiring demand will return to pre-pandemic levels this year: Study

76% of US companies say hiring demand will return to pre-pandemic levels this year: Study

Released on January 21, 2021 Hiring demand will approach, return to or exceed pre-pandemic levels this year, according to the 2021 Future of Recruiting Study published by CareerArc, a provider of a social recruiting platform. Of companies surveyed, 76% believe hiring demand will return this year. CareerArc’s survey also discovered that companies are most concernedRead More
Bah Humbug on the ‘Doom and Gloomers’

Bah Humbug on the ‘Doom and Gloomers’

Posted by Alan Beaulieu on Dec 23, 2020 10:40:23 AM Here Are Two Reasons Why The headlines trumpeted that Retail Sales fell in November, a move that many did not see coming. For the record, Retail Sales are on track with our forecast. The concern raised by others regarding November’s drop is that consumers have pulled back,Read More

January 20, 2021

BLS Employment Situation Report: December 2020

BLS Employment Situation Report: December 2020

Total nonfarm payroll employment in December declined by 140,000 in December, well below the consensus forecast of a job gain of 45,000. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7 percent or 10.7 million unemployed persons. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noted in today’s release that both unemployment measures are much lower than their AprilRead More
Economists Predict Sharp Slowdown Before Outlook Brightens Considerably

Economists Predict Sharp Slowdown Before Outlook Brightens Considerably

BY EMEL AKAN January 14, 2021 Updated: January 14, 2021 WASHINGTON—Economists are forecasting a strong recovery this year but warn of a sharp drop in economic activity in the first quarter before it builds momentum following the winter. The U.S. economy will grow at 3.9 percent over the four quarters of 2021, according to the latest estimates by theRead More