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.”
We spoke with a farmer about how tariffs, trade policy, drought, and packer consolidation are reshaping the economics of American ranching and farming.
John Serafini, CEO of Hawkeye 360, breaks down the company’s 87% revenue growth, global demand for space-based intelligence and plans to scale its business.
Dan Niles, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Niles Investment Management, breaks down NVIDIA’s blowout earnings, 70% growth forecast and AI spending boom.
Edwin Cywinski, CEO of SunScout Holding Limited, explains how solar-powered robotic mowers are transforming lawn care and the company’s plans to scale.
Nathan Bomey, Business Reporter at Axios and author of The Axios Closer newsletter, explains why Wall Street is turning NVIDIA’s AI chips into financial assets.
Jamie Siminoff, Founder and Chief Inventor of Ring, explains the company’s new TAKE encryption standard and its push to put privacy and video data control first
