Americans applied for fewer unemployment benefits at the end of 2019, the Labor Department announced Thursday. The number dropped by 2,000 to 222,000 in the seven days up until December 28, although the four-week average ticked up by 4,750 to 233,250.
The report beat expectations that had predicted 225,000 new claims, according to Reuters. The result marks the third consecutive weekly decline.
“I think we’re definitely going to see slightly smaller growth month by month than what we saw in 2019 and that’s consistent with economists expectations’ of the macroeconomy weakening slightly,” in the labor market, Beth Akers, Manhattan Institute senior fellow, told Cheddar.
She will be keeping an eye on manufacturing trends and changes in policy regarding trade for indications about how job numbers will grow (or shrink) in 2020.
“If you’re looking to something to be concerned about, you can look at the four-week moving average, which is up from what it’s been over the course of the year,” Akers said. “But, by and large, these are really strong, positive numbers for the labor market.”
Amazon is expected to pull in about $7 billion in revenue during this year's Prime Day, according to projections. Cheddar News took a peek at some of the top-selling items and what operations look like at one of its plants.
Threads could bring in $8 billion in annual revenue, according to analysis, after it reached about 100 million users days after its launch. Cheddar News explains.
Bank of America must pay more than $100 million to customers for doubling up on some fees, withholding reward bonuses and opening accounts without customer consent.
Cheddar News Senior Reporter Michelle Castillo visited an Amazon warehouse on Long Island to get a behind-the-scenes look at the company's efforts ahead of Prime Day.