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.”
The parent company of stores like TJ Maxx, Homegoods and Marshalls, posted mixed results in its latest quarter, prompting it to slash its outlook for the full year.
A survey says about 20% of Americans have a high-yield savings account. Preston Cherry, founder and president of Concurrent Financial Planning, joined Cheddar News to explain why it's a good time to open an account now.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate jumped 23 basis points from last week to 6.62 percent, the highest rate since November 2022, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
