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November’s private sector job growth was weaker than economists had forecasted per ADP’s Employment Report, which showed that employers added 146,000 new jobs versus the 160,000 that were expected. October’s report was also revised lower from233,000 job creations to 184,000, subtracting 49,000 jobs from the previous report. What’s the bottom line? Large businesses (500+ employees) […]

Warm up this winter with this easy and delicious Hot Cocoa recipe courtesy of Allrecipes. Yields 4 servings. Combine 3/4 cup sugar (or to taste), 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Add 1 1/3 cupsboiling water and whisk until smooth. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring continuously to […]

CoreLogic’s Home Price Index showed that home prices nationwide rose 0.02% in October, which was stronger than forecasts. Prices were also 3.4% higher when compared to October of last year. CoreLogic forecasts that home prices will fall 0.03% in November and rise 2.4% in the year going forward, though their forecasts tend to be conservative. […]

Initial Jobless Claims rose 9,000 in the latest week, with 224,000 people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time. However, Continuing Claims fell by 25,000, as 1.871 million people are still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. Despite this most recent decline, Continuing Claims remain elevated, now topping 1.8 million for the 26th […]

The latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed that job openings rose from a downwardly revised 7.37million in September to 7.74 million in October, which was above what economists had forecasted. The hiring rate fell to 3.3%,which is the lowest level since 2013 not including COVID. The quit rate increased from 1.9% to […]

November’s private sector job growth was weaker than economists had forecasted per ADP’s Employment Report, which showed that employers added 146,000 new jobs versus the 160,000 that were expected. October’s report was also revised lower from233,000 job creations to 184,000, subtracting 49,000 jobs from the previous report. What’s the bottom line? Large businesses (500+ employees) […]

National Brownie Day is December 8, though these Cocoa Brownies from Food Network make for a decadent dessert any day ofthe year. Yields 16 brownies. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter and flour an 8-inch square pan. In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat 4 large eggs at medium speed until fluffy […]

Initial Jobless Claims inched down another 2,000 in the latest week to a 7-month low, with 213,000 people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time. However, Continuing Claims rose by 9,000 as 1.907 million people are still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. What’s the bottom line? While the low level of Initial […]

The U.S. economy grew by 2.8% in the third quarter per the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ second estimate for that time period, matching their first estimate reported in October. By comparison, we saw 3% and 1.6% growth in the second and first quarters of this year. What’s the bottom line? Economic activity in the third […]

Home prices nationwide rose 0.3% from August to September after seasonal adjustment per Case-Shiller’s Home Price Index, helping home values reach an all-time high for the sixteenth straight month. Home values in September were also 3.9% higher than a year earlier, following a 4.3% gain in August. Case-Shiller’s index is considered the gold standard in […]

Pending Home Sales, which are signed contracts on existing homes, rose 2% from September to October per the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). This marked the third consecutive monthly rise as sales were also 5.4% higher than they were a year earlier. What’s the bottom line? Contract signings rose across all regions of the country […]

New Home Sales, which measure signed contracts on new homes, plunged 17.3% from September to October, with the 610,000-unit pace reaching the lowest level since November 2022. Signed contracts were also 9.4% lower than they were in October of last year. Regarding inventory, there were 481,000 new homes for sale at the end of October, […]

October’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) showed that headline inflation rose 0.2% from September, while the year-over-year reading rose from 2.1% to 2.3%. Core PCE, the Fed’s preferred measure which strips out volatile food and energyprices, rose 0.3% monthly. The year-over-year reading increased from 2.7% to 2.8%, remaining near the lowest level in over three years. […]

This homemade Cranberry Sauce courtesy of the Food Network is an easy way to elevate this classic Thanksgiving staple. Yields 6 to 8 servings. In a medium pot, combine 1 pound of fresh cranberries (washed and dried), 2 cups sugar and 1/3 cup water. Stir to blend and bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce […]

The Conference Board released their latest Leading Economic Index (LEI), which takes a broad look at the economy and tracks where it’s heading in the near term. October brought a 0.4% drop, which followed September’s 0.3% decline. The biggest negative contributor last month was the weak manufacturing sector. What’s the bottom line? The LEI has […]