Economic Data

I try to report on these numbers as objectively as possible, but the drip-drip of negative news out of the U.S. starts to wear on you. Jobless claims were expected to drop substantially after the effects of Hurricane Ike wore off. I was…

U.S. jobless claims registered an increase to 493,000, bringing the widely followed 4-week average to 462,500, its highest level since just after 9/11. Recently, the jobless claims numbers have been creeping up indicating the labor market…

U.S. jobless claims registered an increase to 455,000, bringing the widely followed 4-week average to 445,000, its highest level since 2002. Recently, the jobless claims numbers have been creeping up indicating the labor market in the U.S.…

The Department of Labor released jobless claims numbers today at 8:30 AM. Jobless claims came in at 445,000, down from an upwardly revised 451,000 the week before. Claims are averaging now 440,000 for the past 4 weeks, 115000 higher than…

The unemployment rate in the U.S. jumped 0.4% to top 6.1% for the first time in five years. This rise was much, much larger than expected and makes it almost certain that the United States is in recession. Updates to follow as I crunch the…

For the past several weeks, jobless claims have arguably been distorted by seasonality and the extension of unemployment benefits from six to nine months. However, the numbers have risen well above the critical 400,000 mark. Are these…

The Danish economy has officially left recession, marking a growth rate of 0.6% for the second quarter of this year. In the midst of much doom and gloom for the eurozone, this is a positive development. More news expected. See other…

U.S. jobless claims for the past week were down to 425,000 from 435,000 last week and as high as 457,000 three weeks ago. While seasonality is big part of the data in August, this is a comforting change from the recent…

U.S. jobless claims were down 12,000 this week to 430,000. However, the 4-week average increased to 445,750 and is now 125,750 higher than a year ago. Over the past 4 or 5 weeks, claims have spiked up in part due to the extension of…

US Jobless claims came out again today as they do every Thursday at 8.30AM. The numbers were not good, and give a clear indication of why the Fed will not cut rates in the face of 5.6% inflation. Initial claims came in at 450,000, moving…