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.”
Semafor plans to buy back Sam Bankman-Fried's $10 million investment in the company.
Volkswagen U.S. CEO Pablo Di Si joined Cheddar New to discuss record quarterly electric vehicle sales and his reaction to Tesla trimming prices on some vehicles by 20% last week. “We'll continue with our pricing strategy, we're not cutting prices on the vehicle's quality over quantity and product content,” he said.
Southwest Airlines pilots could be on the verge of a strike with a vote planned in May.
Party City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it aims to cut debt.
The federal government says it will begin a targeted crackdown on nursing homes’ abuse of antipsychotic drugs and misdiagnoses of schizophrenia in patients.
Spotify became the latest tech company to call on the European Union to take action against Apple over anti-competitive practices.
Mortgage demand continues to increase as rates dip while homebuilder sentiment is also on the rise.
Amazon has begun cutting about 18,000 workers this week, affecting largely Amazon stores and some in the technology unit.
Microsoft is laying off 10,000 employees, becoming the latest tech giant to cut its workforce.
Darren Jones, President, UPS Central Plains, joins Cheddar News to discuss UPS's first-ever jobs and opportunity report while offering advice to job-seekers amid widespread layoffs and economic uncertainty.
