We have made the case over the past few months that resilience rather than recession is a more apt description of the American economy. The net change in employment in the April jobs report of 253,000 reported by the Labor Department on Friday reflects that resilience. In addition, the ... READ MORE >
unemployment
Initial jobless claims drop further
New claims for unemployment benefits inched lower than expected for the second month in a row last week, continuing to signal a tight labor market despite recent bank failures. Claims fell by 1,000 to 191,000, remaining below the pre-pandemic average and below expectations of a slight ... READ MORE >
How many jobs need to be sacrificed to tame inflation? Cost is rising, RSM models show.
Events are outpacing the best-laid plans of policymakers. The current turmoil in the financial sector will place constraints on the Federal Reserve’s efforts to restore price stability. Our research indicates that the Fed, facing persistent inflation, will for now have to accept a ... READ MORE >
Jobless claims and housing starts come in hotter than expected
Jobless claims and housing starts blew past forecasts in the most recent reports released Thursday, both showing stronger-than-expected results amid a looming economic downturn. New jobless claims fell by 20,000 last week to 192,000 following an unexpected spike in the previous week, ... READ MORE >
U.S. job creation remains robust, implying more aggressive rate hikes
If one wanted to create a confluence of cross-currents that make the job of policymakers more difficult, one might choose the combination of a red-hot economy, robust job gains, elevated inflation and an estimated $620 billion in potentially unrealized losses inside the banking ... READ MORE >
New jobless claims fall again amid strong labor market
Initial claims for unemployment benefits inched down further last week, remaining near a multi-decade low amid a persistently tight job market. New claims dropped by 2,000 to 190,000 for the week ending Feb. 24, lower than the pre-pandemic average of 218,000, according to Labor Department ... READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims remain below the pre-pandemic level
New filings for jobless benefits continued to defy market expectations, falling to 183,000 last week from 186,000 a week earlier, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Thursday. New jobless claims, which are a proxy for layoffs, remained below the pre-pandemic level of 218,000 for the fifth week ... READ MORE >
The pandemic response: Assessing the Paycheck Protection Program
This is the first article in a series this week examining major economic policy responses to the pandemic that targeted small and midsize businesses. The second article will look at the Main Street Lending Program, and the third will offer policy recommendations for responding to future ... READ MORE >
U.S. economy generates 4.5 million jobs in 2022 as labor market remains hot
If one would have asked a year ago if the economy would expand at above a 2.5% clip and produce 4.52 million jobs by the end of the year, all while the Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 450 basis points, the answer would probably have been no. But that is just where the economy stands ... READ MORE >
Jobless claims show an uptick in layoffs
New filings for jobless claims inched up by 1.8% last week to 230,000, remaining above the pre-pandemic level for the fifth week in a row. There is no doubt that the labor market has been slowing down as more companies reassess their hiring plans. It has also become clear that the bottom in initial ... READ MORE >