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.”
Greg Hoffman, the former Nike Chief Marketing Officer and the founder of the brand advisory group Modern Arena, joined Cheddar News to talk about his new book "Emotion By Design: Creative Leadership Lessons From a Life at Nike." The book talks about his high-profile career at the sportswear giant and lessons in branding that came from his time there. "A brand's personality is like a mosaic," he said. "There are so many unique characteristics and traits that you need to express to the world, and to come across as a human brand today, you need to make sure that you're relatable."
Catching you up on what you need to know on April 5, 2022, with Biden's call for a war crimes trial for Putin, another arrest made in the Sacramento mass shooting, NYC rolling out a campaign against Florida’s "Don’t Say Gay" bill, an aluminum shortage potentially affecting beer and cat food cans, and more.
Stocks closed lower on Wall Street Tuesday and bond yields jumped as remarks by a Federal Reserve governor fueled expectations on Wall Street that the central bank is prepared to more aggressively raise interest rates.
Filing your taxes should be easy and straightforward if your documents are together — but what about if you became a new cryptocurrency or retail investor? What if you worked remotely last year, and not in the same state as your employer? What if you received a pandemic stimulus check, or are eligible for the child tax credit? Luis Rivero, CPA and Director of Tax at Taxfyle, joins Closing Bell to discuss what exactly all taxpayers need to know, whether they hold crypto investments, worked out of state, have children, and more.
