The November ISM Non-Manufacturing Index eased to 55.9, which is below the six-month average of 57.1, indicating solid growth in the service sector even as the pandemic rages. … READ MORE >
Covid-19
CHART OF THE DAY: Airport traffic surges over Thanksgiving
Amid spiking coronavirus cases, airports had a surge in travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The Transportation Security Administration reported that more than 1 million passengers were processed through its checkpoints on the busy travel days of Wednesday and Sunday. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Manufacturing expansion continues in November
U.S. manufacturing activity continued its expansion in November, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index. The index registered 57.5 in November, its seventh straight month of expansion, but was 1.8 points below the 59.3 reading in October. … READ MORE >
Coronavirus update: Ethical aspects of vaccinations
The successful release of one or more vaccines presents society with the issue of who gets vaccinated first and then the succeeding phases of distribution. This will challenge our society to the core. … READ MORE >
November jobs preview: Employment-to-population ratio and the likelihood of a double-dip recession
We expect that improvement in the labor market will continue to slow to near 370,000 on the month with the unemployment rate falling to 6.8% when the Labor Department releases its jobs data on Friday. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Increase in productivity can’t mask need for long-term miracle
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released third-quarter productivity data that reinforced our view that a recovery from the depths of the economic shutdown is indeed underway. But in the long term, the U.S. still needs a productivity miracle. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Dealmaking in the cybersecurity sector continues its strong year
The pandemic has provided tailwinds for the industry as many employees and security administrators continue to work from home. … READ MORE >
Pre-holiday data deluge: A November to remember
Among a series of economic reports released on Wednesday, first-time jobless claims increased for the second consecutive week, with the top line increasing to 778,000 for the week ending Nov. 21, up from 742,000 previously, … READ MORE >
RSM U.K. Financial Conditions Index: Adjusting expectations after double-dosed shocks
The news that Oxford/AstraZeneca has created a potential vaccine will bolster U.K. financial conditions and economic prospects heading into the end of the year. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: In the video game industry, it’s the most wonderful time
The arrival of the holiday shopping season has buoyed the hopes of retailers catering to a younger crowd, even as coronavirus cases continue to rise. This is especially the case with video games. … READ MORE >