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.”
A panel of U.S. health advisers has endorsed booster doses of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine.
Stocks ended higher again on Wall Street Friday, giving the S&P 500 its best week since July.
A panel of U.S. health advisers has endorsed booster shots for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.
With prices surging worldwide for heating oil, natural gas and other fuels, the U.S. government said Wednesday it expects households to see their heating bills jump as much as 54% compared to last winter.
More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday after the United Auto Workers union said negotiators couldn't deliver a new agreement that would meet the “demands and needs” of workers.
Stocks rallied on Wall Street Thursday as the market shook off several days of wobbly trading.
The shift from China to the U.S. has convinced some long-time bitcoin miners that renewable energy and crypto mining may actually be a better match for each other than expected.
The Biden administration says the U.S. will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The White House says it's helped broker an agreement for the Port of Los Angeles to become a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week operation.
Stocks ended another day of choppy trading modestly higher Wednesday, enough to break a three-day losing streak for the S&P 500.
