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.”
With Netflix losing 200,000 subscribers in one quarter, and CNN+ shutting down just weeks after launch, the streaming industry is in a place of uncertainty. Hundreds of people who once thought they had steady jobs now face potential unemployment as streamers figure out how to navigate the constantly changing landscape. Greg Martin, co-founder of Rainmaker Securities, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the state of streaming, its troubles, and how its impacting hundreds of workers.
Lance Ippolito, Head Trader at the Future Of Wealth, breaks down the most significant headwinds facing big tech and highlights how companies will fair amid high inflation.
In honor of Earth Day, Peter Krull, Founder and CEO of Earth Equity Advisors, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss how we can keep corporations accountable to their climate change promises. He argued the recent focus on ESGs and sustainable investing in some ways "has made it easier and more accessible to folks, but it's also made it easier for companies to be misleading in how they portray themselves."
Daisy Pitkin, author of "On The Line: A Story of Class, Solidarity, and Two Women's Epic Fight to Build a Union," joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss her work as a union organizer at Workers United, helping Starbucks workers to organize. Pitkin expressed her enthusiasm for the recent labor push across the country, and explained how the movement can gain even more momentum in the future.
Lance Ippolito, Head Trader at the Future of Wealth, talks about the investor concerns leading to Big Tech earnings and how the shift in consumer buying habits may signal weakness for the overall market.
Brian Shepardson, VP & Senior Portfolio Manager at James Investments, discusses the takeaways from this week's earnings and forecasts market reaction as Fed Chair Powell signals a 50-basis point hike in May.
Patrick Healey, President & Chief Investment Officer at Caliber Financial Partners, breaks down Tesla's blowout earnings report and highlights the challenges the Fed will face if interest rate hikes are front-loaded.
