July Employment Trends Index up 5.4 percent year-on-year

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ (ETI) increased in July, after increasing in June. The index now stands at 109.89, up from 108.72 in June. The change represents a 5.4 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago.

READ MORE

June planned job cuts up 18 percent from May and 19.6 percent year-on-year

Job cuts announced by U.S.-based employers rose 18 percent to 37,202 in June, and were up 19.6 percent year-on-year.  Although the second quarter saw 25.3 percent fewer cuts than the previous quarter, they were still up 4 percent year-on-year.

READ MORE

Initial unemployment claims rise 2,000 in latest report

In the week ending June 24, initial unemployment claims were 244,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The 4-week moving average was 242,250, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average.

READ MORE

Labor productivity unchanged in 1Q 2017 but up 1.2 percent year-on-year

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity was unchanged during the first quarter of 2017, as both output and hours worked increased 1.7 percent. From the first quarter of 2016 to the first quarter of 2017, productivity increased 1.2 percent, reflecting a 2.5-percent increase in output and a 1.3-percent increase in hours worked.

READ MORE

April job growth rebounded to 211,000, unemployment rate at 4.4 percent

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 211,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.4 percent. Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, health care and social assistance, financial activities, and mining. Over the year, the unemployment rate has declined by 0.6 percentage point, and the number of unemployed has fallen by 854,000.

READ MORE

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 6/13/14

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 6/13/14 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:

• Employment grew by 217,000 Jobs in May; Unemployment rate at 6.3 Percent
• Consumer Credit use rose in April at the Highest rate since November 2007
• Wholesale Inventories rose more than Expected Again in April
• Retail Sales rose slower than expected in May
• Mortgage Applications rise by 10.3 Percent in Latest Survey

Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

January column for Builder & Developer magazine now online

My column for the January 2014 issue of Builder & Developer magazine is now posted online.
For this issue, entitled "2014 Forecast:  Positive signs in the economy indicate strong economic growth," I discussed the robust GDP growth of 4.1 percent during the third quarter of 2013 and what that might mean for the general economy and the housing market in 2014.  An excerpt:

Looking forward to 2014, the U.S. economy seems poised to grow at the fastest rate since the dawn of “The Great Recession,” with GDP growth averaging 3.0 percent versus the plodding 2.0 percent rate with which we’ve been saddled over the past 4.5 years. In turn, this projected rate of growth could push up monthly job growth to 250,000 versus 190,000 over the past years. 

Should that occur, then the country would actually regain all of the jobs lost by the end of 2014, thereby pushing the unemployment rate closer to 6.0 percent or even 5.5 percent...

To read the entire column, click here.

To read the entire January 2014 issue in digital format, click here.

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 10/23/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 10/23/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicator:

• Existing home sales declined in September but prices still rose
• Employment rose by 148,000 in September as unemployment rate was little changed at 7.2 percent

Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 8/5/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 8/5/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:

• U.S. economy adds fewer jobs than forecast as wages fell
• Personal income rose less than expected in June
• Chicago PMI rises in July in challenging business environment
• Manufacturing sector activity expanded in July as conditions improve

Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 5/6/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 5/6/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicator:

• Employment rose by 165,000 jobs in April; previous months' totals also revised upwards
• Productivity rose by 0.7% in 1Q 2013; labor costs rose by 0.5%
• Mortgage applications rose by 1.8% in latest survey

Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 2/4/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 2/4/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:

• Construction spending in December up by 7.8% over previous year; 2012 total up by 9.2% above 2011 level
• Consumer sentiment unexpectedly rose in January, could benefit consumer spending
• Employment grew modestly in January; unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 7.9%
• Mortgage applications fall by 8.1% in latest survey as refinancing dips
• Manufacturing activity expanded in January for second consecutive month

Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Want to make sure your company or event is included in the events calendar? Contact editor Evan Lancaster at elancaster@penpubinc.com.

at 12:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post