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Another 243,000 people filed new unemployment claims in the latest week, marking an increase of 20,000 from the previous week and tying the highest level since early June. Continuing Claims also rose by 20,000, as 1.867 million people are still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? The pace of layoffs […]

Retail Sales stayed flat in June, though this was better than the outright decline that had been expected. Sales in May were also revised upward from the originally reported 0.1% gain to a 0.3% gain when compared to April. What’s the bottom line? While this report was better than estimates, there has been growing evidence […]

After a disappointing May, new home construction ticked higher in June as Housing Starts and Building Permits both came in above estimates. However, the increase was led by a boost in multi-family projects, as starts and permits for single-family homes both moved lower. What’s the bottom line? Softer than expected construction activity this spring could […]

Confidence among home builders remains below the key breakeven threshold of 50, per the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), as their Housing Market Index dropped 1 point to 42 in July. This marked the third consecutive monthly decline and the lowest reading since December as higher rates continue to dampen sentiment. Scores over 50 […]

It’s National Ice Cream Month. Add chocolate chunks, cookie crumbs and nuts to this simple No Churn Recipe for an easy homemade treat! Yields 10 to 12 servings. Place a 9-by-5-inch loaf plan in the freezer. In a medium bowl, combine 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract and a pinch […]

Initial Jobless Claims fell by 17,000 in the latest week, with 222,000 people filing new unemployment claims. Continuing Claims also fell by 4,000, as 1.852 million people are still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? While Initial Jobless Claims fell to their lowest level since May, the measured week included […]

While the Fed has a dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment, in recent years they’ve been more focused on taming out-of-control inflation, given that the labor market has been strong. However, in his testimony to Congress last week, Powell acknowledged that “elevated inflation is not the only risk we face,” as the job […]

The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures inflation on the wholesale level, was hotter than expected in June while May’s readings were also revised higher. Headline PPI rose 0.2% last month, with the annual reading also up from 2.4% to 2.6%. Core PPI, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.4% and the […]

There was more encouraging news regarding inflation as June’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1% from May. This marked the first monthly decline since the start of the pandemic and helped push the annual reading lower from 3.3% to 3%. Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, increased 0.1% for the month […]

These Sugar Cookies from Allrecipes are easy to make and perfect for marking National Sugar Cookie Day on July 9. Yields 4 dozen. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, stir together 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. In a large bowl, beat 1 […]

CoreLogic’s Home Price Index showed that home prices nationwide rose 0.6% in May after rising 1.1% in April and 1.2% in March, showing it’s been a strong season for home values nationwide. Prices are also 4.9% higher when compared to May of last year. CoreLogic forecasts that home prices will rise 0.7% in June and […]

Initial Jobless Claims rose by 4,000 in the latest week, with 238,000 people filing new unemployment claims. Continuing Claims rose by 26,000, as 1.858 million people are still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? Both Initial and Continuing Jobless Claims trended higher in June, with Initial Claims above 230,000 and […]

The latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed that job openings rose slightly to 8.14 million in May, though April’s openings were revised lower from 8.059 million to 7.919 million. The quit rate held steady at 2.2% while the hiring rate rose from 3.5% to 3.6%. What’s the bottom line? Job openings in […]

ADP’s Employment Report showed that private payrolls rose less than expected in June, as employers added 150,000 new jobs versus the 160,000 that had been forecasted. This marks the third straight month that job creation has slowed among private employers. Nearly all the gains came from service-providing sectors (+136,000), with goods producers only adding 14,000 […]