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.”
Staples Center is getting a new name. Starting Christmas Day, it will be Crypto.com Arena.
Buoyed by solid hiring, healthy job gains, and substantial savings stemming in part from government stimulus checks and other relief, Americans ramped up their spending at retail stores and online shops last month.
Stocks closed higher on Wall Street Tuesday as investors reviewed solid earnings reports from retailers and an encouraging update on consumer spending.
President Joe Biden has signed his hard-fought $1 trillion infrastructure deal into law before a bipartisan celebratory crowd on the White House lawn.
Major indexes ended a wobbly day mostly lower on Wall Street as the market comes off its first weekly loss in six weeks.
As inflation continues to heat up faster than expected, those on the side of seeing it as a transitory issue tied to the pandemic remain steadfast in their position. Cheddar's Alex Vuocolo takes a look at team transitory and its critics.
Babylist, an online baby registry for expecting and new parents, recently raised $40 million a Series C round, bringing the company's total funding to $50 million. Babylist also operates as an e-commerce and content platform. The company says it aims to be a one-stop solution for first-time parents who don't know what they need to buy for their new child. Babylist also says it wants to expand to address the needs of the entire family. Babylist founder and CEO Natalie Gordon joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, these are the top stories that moved markets and had investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs talking this week on Cheddar.
The pandemic hit movie theater chains like the Alamo Drafthouse hard. Cheddar Senior Reporter Michelle Castillo talks to CEO Tim League about the reopening and a slow return to normalcy.
Cheddar has been covering the biggest news of the week with some of the biggest names in the biz.
