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.”
Music-focused NFT platform Pianity raising $6.5 million in a seed funding round. Pianity has developed a marketplace that allows musicians to sell their tracks as limited edition NFTs. Since its launch last year, the company says it has already sold 11,000 NFTs and artists have earned over $1.1 million from NFT sales. Kevin Primicerio, co-founder and CEO of Pianity, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Rance Masheck, Founder & CEO of iVest+, talks about the use of crypto to evade Russian sanctions and how crypto exchanges are responding to calls to block service.
ZipRecruiter reported revenue growth for the fourth quarter of 2021 and raised its forecast for the coming year, beating Wall Street expectations. The recruitment site has benefited from one of the tightest labor markets in history as companies desperately try to fill empty positions. Ian Siegel, CEO of ZipRecruiter, joined Cheddar to discuss how the company has adapted to The Great Resignation, a tight labor market, and record inflation.
Bank of America is officially the first financial institution to be certified by J.D. Power for financial health support. The data analytics and consumer intelligence company evaluated Bank of America and other financial institutions through a rigorous process that involved reviewing nearly 100 best practices, and Bank of America is the first in the industry to receive it. Holly O'Neill, President of Retail Banking at Bank of America, joined Cheddar to talk more about this certification, what it means, and how to get started on the path to financial health.
Ford is looking to charge its electric business forward -- splitting its EVs and legacy internal combustion engine models into separate units. Ford says the split will streamline its EV business and boost profits, while giving it a better competitive edge. Ford's new EV focused business will be called Ford Model e. Greg Martin, Co-Founder, Rainmaker Securities joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
Markets opened higher on Thursday despite ongoing uncertainty amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. John Petrides, Portfolio Manager, Tocqueville Asset Management joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss early market activity.
Thomas Hayes, Chairman & Managing Member of
Great Hill Capital, talks about the impact rising oil prices are having on airlines and outlines how investors can navigate geopolitical uncertainty.
