As more businesses in the United States reopened, U.S. industrial production and manufacturing output grew by 5.4% and 7.2% respectively in June, according to data released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve. The increase marks the second month in a row of growth for these indicators after a massive decline in … … READ MORE >
Covid-19
Amid resurgence of coronavirus, health care providers feel mounting pressure
Despite the central role that health care providers have played in treating patients with the virus, the industry continues to face significant financial pressure. Without some kind of relief from the coming fiscal cliff, those providers could be in even more dire financial circumstances … READ MORE >
June Consumer Price Index: Inflation not a risk to near-term economic outlook
Rising energy and gasoline prices accounted for roughly half of the 0.6% increase month over month inside the June Consumer Price Index report and should prove transient due to easing demand on the back of an intensifying pandemic. … READ MORE >
Rethinking the staycation: Driving boosts hotel occupancy in regional hotspots
As cities slowly awaken from coronavirus-related lockdowns and reopen their economies, regions that rely on auto travel are leading the nascent recovery in the hospitality sector. … READ MORE >
Policy uncertainty and the costs of prolonging the pandemic
Loss of income and tax revenue from the 50 million who applied for unemployment benefits during the 16 weeks of the economic shutdown directly contributes to the growing uncertainty. … READ MORE >
Cumulative jobless claims pass 6 million in California and 3 million in Florida
In a week that the cumulative number of people registering for unemployment benefits passed 50 million, California has now processed more than 6 million initial claims and Florida passed the 3 million mark. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims: 50 million and counting
Roughly 50 million Americans have filed first-time jobless claims over the past four months, while for the week ending July 4 an additional 1.31 million have filed for unemployment insurance. … READ MORE >
Pandemic choice: Reopening schools and the economy
We continue to make the case that until there is a national testing, tracing and treatment regime in place, any talk of economic recovery is premature at best. The same could be said of the reopening of schools. … READ MORE >
Initial claims for unemployment insurance rise in 25 states
There were increases in the number of newly filed claims for unemployment benefits in 25 states during the week ending June 27. Thirteen of those states reported increases that were significantly above normal levels. … READ MORE >
June U.S. employment report: Encouragement, concern and outright skepticism
Total employment increased by an encouraging 4.8 million workers in June as the U.S. economy continues what will be a multiyear period of recovery in the American labor market. But this is not the time to pull back aid to those out of work. … READ MORE >