Initial jobless claims inched up by 2,000 last week to 232,000, slightly lower than expectations, according to the Labor Department on Thursday. … READ MORE >
Federal Reserve
Job openings exceed 10 million as labor market imbalance widens
With 10.1 million job vacancies in April, the openings-to-unemployed ratio—a proxy for labor demand and supply mismatches—surged to 1.79 from 1.64 previously. … READ MORE >
Jobless claims edge up but fraud spurs big downward revisions
New filings for jobless benefits increased slightly by 4,000 last week, but the more noteworthy change was a significant downward revision in the previous two reports from the Labor Department. … READ MORE >
Fitch puts U.S. on ratings watch negative
It is time for the Federal Reserve to act pre-emptively to ensure well-functioning financial markets and signal to global market participants that the bond rating on U.S. Treasuries will remain unchanged. … READ MORE >
About that recession: Resilience now, risks ahead
Despite elevated inflation and interest rates, as well as tightening financial conditions and softening demand for loans, the economy has chugged along, thanks in no small part to strong consumer spending. … READ MORE >
Retail sales rise as American consumers stay resilient
While the top-line number came out lower than expected, spending on retail goods continued to show an underlying strength in April. … READ MORE >
Consumer sentiment drops as inflation expectations rise
The report showed a marked increase in long-term inflation expectations for the next five to 10 years, rising to 3.2% from 3.0% to reach the highest level since 2011. … READ MORE >
Jobless claims and producer inflation show mixed results
Initial jobless claims rose by 9.1% last week to 264,000, the most since 2021 as producer prices rebounded in April, largely because of comparisons to the surging prices a year ago. … READ MORE >
Inflation remains sticky in April, rising by 4.9% over a year ago
April’s increase in the consumer price index was in line with RSM’s forecast of a 4.9% gain and the consensus estimate of 5%, and will most likely support the doves at the Federal Reserve who want to pause interest rate increases. … READ MORE >
Fed survey shows a notable decline in loan demand
Roughly 56% of loan officers noted a decline in demand for loans by large and middle market firms, while 53% reported a decline in credit demand by small firms, according to the Fed’s quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey released Monday. … READ MORE >