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.”
A report from Rent.com finds that prices are stabilizing at the national level but some states are still seeing some skyrocketing rates. Jon Leckie, a researcher with Rent.com, joined Cheddar News to provide the big takeaways on what're the latest trends from the report.
Air New Zealand is asking passengers to weigh themselves before boarding flights in an effort to ensure "the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft."
Jay Woods, chief global strategist with Freedom Capital Markets, joined Cheddar News to discuss what lies ahead as trading kicked off a holiday-shortened week and ahead of a House vote on the debt ceiling deal.
With home sales rising 4.1 percent in April from the month before and 11.8 percent from a year ago, the housing market is still hot. Kirsten Jordan, associate real estate broker for Douglas Elliman, has some tips to help savvy homebuyers get into the market
Microsoft President Brad Smith said on CBS 'Face the Nation' that the benefit of artificial intelligence will be "ubiquitous" but called for more regulations to make sure the technology is developed responsibly.
