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.”
President Biden has banned imports of Russian oil to the U.S. in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. The president warned of higher prices at the gas pump, leading some analysts to think it could propel the transition to clean, renewable energy. Michael Jones, chairman and CEO of investment solutions company Caravel Concepts, discussed how the ban is hitting green energy stocks as gas prices continue to surge. "I think the 10-year prospects for renewables just got a whole lot better because ultimately this is going to force a transition into renewables," he said.
Award winning journalist Soledad O'Brien teamed up with Edelman Financial to launch her all-new podcast 'Everyday Wealth' aimed at helping women and men alike in all stages of their wealth planning journey. O'Brien joined Cheddar to discuss female entrepreneurship and the importance of financial literacy, especially among women who were disproportionally affected by the pandemic.
A Russian airstrike on a Mariupol maternity hospital that killed three people drew outrage, with Ukrainian and Western officials branding it a war crime.
Stocks slipped on Wall Street Thursday as markets remain choppy amid uncertainty about where inflation, interest rates and the global economy are heading.
Inflation hit another four-decade high in February, according to the latest Consumer Price Index, priming the U.S. economy for persistent price gains through 2022.
Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, discusses the factors impacting the housing market and spotlights the latest trends within New York's luxury real estate.
Colgate-Palmolive is shedding light on the little-known fact that oral health is integral to overall health. The consumer products company will commit $100 million over five years to transform the way the world thinks about and addresses oral health. Maria Ryan, Chief Clinical Officer at Colgate-Palmolive, discusses why oral health is so vital to our physical and mental well-being.
Amid ongoing tensions in the Russia-Ukraine region, many American travelers are nervous about traveling to Europe.
It comes at a time when international travel was set to make a comeback, but uncertainty surrounding the conflict may delay the overall recovery. Francesca Page, Travel Expert, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
Daniel Newman, Founding Partner & Principal Analyst at Futurum Research, discusses whether Apple's Peek Performance event will be enough to lift shares and what the impact of cutting ties with Russia means for the tech giant's growth prospects.
Jason Moser, Senior Analyst at The Motley Fool, discusses the industries most impacted by the return to office trend and outlines the factors that may affect spending this year.
