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☆ US job openings unexpectedly grew in August
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Minneapolis CNN —The number of job openings at US employers unexpectedly surged in August, a testament to the continued strength of the labor market, according to new data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were an estimated 9.61 million open jobs in August, according to seasonally adjusted data from the BLS’ latest monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report. That’s up from July’s upwardly revised estimate of 8.92 million openings. The consensus estimate from economists was for 8.8 million openings, according to Refinitiv. Federal Reserve officials have frequently pointed to the robust labor market, particularly the imbalance of job postings to job seekers, as a key factor in helping to lower inflation.

Persons: August’s, Julia Pollak, ZipRecruiter, ”, Christopher Rupkey, Stocks Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, Labor, CNN, Federal Reserve, FwdBonds, Dow Locations: Minneapolis

☆ US economy remains resilient in second quarter; labor market tight
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Tight labor market conditions continue to prevail, with the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rising slightly last week, other data showed on Thursday. Some economists believe that the economy's resilience and tight labor market could give the Federal Reserve ammunition to raise interest rates again in November. Reuters GraphicsSTRONG LABOR MARKETThe economy is being underpinned by a resilient labor market, which is driving strong wage gains. The labor market has continued to hold its own so far. The unemployment rate increased to 3.8% in August from 3.5% in July.

Persons: Mike Blake, Christopher Rupkey, Lucia Mutikani, Paul Simao Organizations: Port, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Gross, Reuters Graphics, U.S . House, United Auto Workers, General Motors, Ford, Labor Department, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro , California, U.S, WASHINGTON, New York

☆ Higher gasoline prices lift US retail sales, trend slowing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Retail sales rose 0.6% last month. Higher gasoline prices boosted producer prices in August, other data from the Labor Department showed on Thursday. Excluding gasoline stations, retail sales rose 0.2% last month. Sales at food services and drinking places, the only services category in the retail sales report, rose 0.3% after increasing 0.8% in July. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales edged up 0.1% in August.

Persons: Mike Blake, Christopher Rupkey, Goldman Sachs, Nancy Vanden Houten, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, Commerce Department, Federal Reserve, Reuters, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Labor Department, Treasury, delinquencies, New York Federal Reserve, Gross, Oxford Economics, Thomson Locations: Carlsbad , California, U.S, WASHINGTON, New York

☆ US consumer spending accelerates; monthly inflation rates cooling
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Consumer spending is being supported by a tight labor market, with other data showing first-time applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly falling last week. "How long inflation can continue to come down with consumer spending this strong is an open question." When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending increased 0.6%, also the largest gain since January. The so-called real consumer spending rose 0.4% in June. The annual PCE inflation rates were lifted by a lower base of comparison last year.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Christopher Rupkey, nonfarm payrolls, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Commerce Department, Services, Treasury, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Fed, Employers, Labor Department, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, WASHINGTON, New York, outlays

☆ US labor market loses steam as job openings, resignations decline
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

That was reinforced by a survey from the Conference Board showing consumers' perceptions of the labor market cooled in August. Nevertheless, labor market conditions remain tight, with 1.51 job openings for every unemployed person in July, compared to 1.54 in June. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 9.465 million job openings. State and local government education job openings declined by 62,000 and there were 27,000 fewer federal government vacancies. Reuters GraphicsDeclining job openings are likely to be mirrored by slower job growth in August.

Persons: Elizabeth Frantz, Conrad DeQuadros, payrolls, Jerome Powell, Jackson, Jeffrey Roach, Christopher Rupkey, Scott Anderson, Lucia Mutikani, Andrea Ricci, Paul Simao Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Labor, Survey, Labor Department, Board, Brean, Reuters, Midwest, Reuters Graphics, LPL Financial, Treasury, Fed, Companies, Bank of, Thomson Locations: Arlington , Virginia, U.S, WASHINGTON, New York, Northeast, West, Wyoming, Charlotte , North Carolina, Stocks, San Francisco

☆ Is America’s economy really as bad as Republican presidential candidates say it is?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —To hear Republican presidential candidates describe the US economy, you’d think it was in a deep recession, with growth and productivity choked off by President Joe Biden’s policies. The economy is strong, but most Americans say they don’t feel good about it, according to polls. HousingAnother reason voters are down on the economy: Housing affordability is at its lowest point in decades. In fact, economic growth is booming thanks to the strong labor market and resilient consumer spending. We won’t have a complete read on third-quarter economic growth until late October, but already, forecasts for GDP “are running wild on the upside,” writes Chris Rupkey, chief economist at FwdBonds.

Persons: New York CNN —, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Republicans can’t, what’s, — it’s, Jerome Powell, Trump, “, It’s, deride “, ”, Chris Rupkey Organizations: New, New York CNN, Republicans, GOP, CNN, Federal, Inflation Fox News, Wisconsin, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Trump, Biden, Corporations, FwdBonds, Atlanta Federal Reserve Locations: New York, Ukraine, America, United States

☆ Despite downward revision of 306,000 jobs, the US labor market is still hot
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

As part of the agency’s annual benchmark review of payroll data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised down March 2023’s employment gains by 306,000 positions. When the economy stops growing, we will see non-farm payroll employment fall. The Labor Department’s monthly jobs report is based upon survey responses from employers across a wide swath of industries. Wednesday’s preliminary benchmark revision won’t change the existing employment data. The monthly totals for 2022 will be updated in February 2024, when the final benchmark revision is issued.

Persons: Chris Rupkey, FwdBonds, ” Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, of Labor Statistics, Labor, BLS, Quarterly Locations: Minneapolis

☆ Americans are shopping less. But the US economic engine is still humming
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

That’s important, because Americans’ spending on goods and services accounts for two-thirds of US gross domestic product. Historically, sluggish retail sales, credit card delinquency and even shoplifting have been signs of a dark cloud on the horizon. The question of credit card debt is another area where the nuance matters. And as a share of total credit card debt, it is relatively low. But Americans’ credit card debt is unquestionably rising.

Persons: CNN Business ’, New York CNN —, Macy’s, they’ve, Taylor Swift, Barbie, ”, Ubers, Covid, Taylor, Sarah Yenesel, Chris Rupkey, Leticia Miranda, That’s, TJ Maxx, Louis Navellier, they’re, Brett Ryan, —, Alicia Wallace, you’ll Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Nike, FwdBonds, Atlanta Federal Reserve, “, “ Retailers, Deutsche Bank, Walmart, Amazon, Federal Reserve, Bank of America Locations: New York

☆ US weekly jobless claims fall; tight labor market underpinning economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The labor market is only slowing at the margin, with job gains in July being the second-smallest since December 2020. Labor market strength, excess savings accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic and greater credit card usage to fund purchases have kept a recession at bay. Some economists saw the slight elevation as indicating a small margin of slack in the job market. The Philadelphia Fed’s business conditions index increased to a reading of 12.0 this month from -13.5 in July. A survey this week from the New York Fed showed business conditions in the “Empire State” remained depressed in August.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, ”, Christopher Rupkey, Jerome Powell’s, Jeffrey Roach, Bill Adams, Daniel Silver Organizations: WASHINGTON, REUTERS, Federal, Labor Department, Reuters, Treasury, Conference, Labor, LPL Financial, Conference Board, Comerica Bank, Philadelphia Fed, New York Fed, JPMorgan Locations: New York City, U.S, New York, Ohio, California, Texas , Michigan , New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Charlotte , North Carolina, Dallas, New Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia, “

☆ US housing starts surge in boost to economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The sharp rebound in groundbreaking on single-family housing units reported by the Commerce Department on Wednesday was another sign of the economy continuing to defy dire forecasts of a recession. Single-family housing starts, which account for the bulk of homebuilding, jumped 6.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 983,000 units last month. The increase in groundbreaking was led by the West, where single-family starts soared 28.5%. Overall housing starts increased 3.9% to a rate of 1.452 million units in July. TIGHT SUPPLYDespite the rise in starts, housing supply is likely to remain tight.

Persons: Mike Blake, homebuilding, Christopher Rupkey, Freddie Mac, Nancy Vanden, Daniel Silver, Goldman Sachs, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Commerce Department, Federal, National Association of Home Builders, Reuters, Oxford Economics, Treasury, Realtors, U.S, Fed, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: San Marcos , California, U.S, New York, homebuilding, Nancy Vanden Houten, Midwest

☆ What to expect from the jobs report: Steady, but cooler growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But markets and economists are expecting another solid jobs report Friday morning. And while economic data isn’t typically the sexiest of topics, the government’s jobs report has in recent months delivered plenty of excitement and its fair share of surprises. Last July, for example, the US economy added 568,000 jobs — more than double the 250,000 that economists had expected. Come Friday, the government’s jobs report for this July might not end up being quite so shocking. In fact, it could be relatively humdrum: A slight cooling in job growth, and unemployment holding steady.

Persons: Minneapolis CNN — Fitch, ”, Daniel Zhao, Refinitiv, Chris Rupkey, That’s, Michael Gapen, Janet Yellen, Glassdoor’s Zhao, ” Zhao, there’s, ” Andy Challenger, Challenger, ” Gus Faucher, they’re, Becky Frankiewicz, “ Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Glassdoor, Bank of America, ” Bank of America, Business, Conference Board, Fitch, Challenger, “ Companies, Labor Department, “, PNC Financial Services Group, CNN, Labor Statistics, BLS, “ Employers, ManpowerGroup Locations: Minneapolis, United States

☆ What to expect from the July jobs report: Steady, but cooler growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Minneapolis CNN —Despite Tuesday’s credit rating downgrade amid concerns about the challenges facing the United States, markets and economists are expecting another solid jobs report on Friday. And while economic data isn’t typically the sexiest of topics, the monthly jobs report has in recent months delivered plenty of excitement and its fair share of surprises. Come Friday, the government’s jobs report for this July might not end up being quite so shocking. In fact, it could be relatively humdrum: A slight cooling in job growth, and unemployment holding steady. The broader economic scorecard for the United States makes the downgrade all the more “bizarre” and puzzling, noted top economists, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Persons: ”, Daniel Zhao, Refinitiv, Chris Rupkey, That’s, Michael Gapen, Janet Yellen, Glassdoor’s Zhao, ” Zhao, there’s, ” Andy Challenger, Challenger, Gus Faucher, they’re, Becky Frankiewicz, “ Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Glassdoor, Bank of America, ” Bank of America, Fitch, Challenger, “ Companies, PNC Financial Services Group, CNN, Labor Statistics, BLS, “ Employers, ManpowerGroup Locations: Minneapolis, United States

☆ Small businesses boost US private payrolls in July
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Amira Karaoud/File photoSummary Private payrolls increase by 324,000 in JulyWage growth gradually slowingWASHINGTON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - U.S. private payrolls rose more than expected in July as small businesses boosted hiring, pointing to continued labor market resilience that could shield the economy from a recession. Private payrolls increased by 324,000 jobs last month after surging by 455,000 in June, according to ADP. MANUFACTURING DRAGHiring at small business, establishments with one to 49 employees increased 237,000, accounting for more than two-thirds of the gain in private payrolls last month. It has not been a reliable gauge in forecasting private payrolls in the BLS employment report. According to a Reuters survey of economists, the BLS is likely to report that private payrolls increased by 179,000 jobs in July.

Persons: Amira Karaoud, Christopher Rupkey, Nela Richardson, It's, Daniel Silver, Lucia Mutikani, Paul Simao Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, ADP, Reuters, Treasury, Fed, Stanford Digital Economy, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: Louisville , Kentucky, U.S, WASHINGTON, New York

☆ US annual inflation posts smallest rise in more than two years
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index increased 0.2% last month after edging up 0.1% in May, the Commerce Department said. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the PCE price index gained 0.2% after rising 0.3% in the prior month. That lowered the year-on-year increase in the so-called core PCE price index to 4.1%, the smallest advance since September 2021. The annual core PCE price index climbed 4.6% in May. Line chart with data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Federal Reserve shows PCE inflation slowed to 3% year-on-year in June, while core PCE inflation also eased to 4.2%.

Persons: Christopher Rupkey, Cory Stahle, Ellen Zentner, Morgan Stanley, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Paul Simao Organizations: Labor, Federal Reserve, Fed, Commerce Department, Reuters, Treasury, Labor Department, Employers, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, New York, U.S, Ukraine, Salt Lake City , Utah

☆ US economic growth accelerates in second quarter; inflation retreats
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Gross domestic product increased at a 2.4% annualized rate last quarter. Excluding food and energy, prices rose at a 2.6% pace following a 4.2% rate of increase in the first quarter. Though the pace of growth slowed from the first quarter's robust 4.2% rate, it was enough to add more than a full percentage point to GDP growth. Government spending also contributed to GDP growth. A measure of domestic demand increased at a solid 2.3% rate after surging at a 3.2% pace in the first quarter.

Persons: Amira Karaoud, Christopher Rupkey, Joe Biden's, Lucia Mutikani, Nick Zieminski, Andrea Ricci Organizations: REUTERS, Commerce, Federal Reserve, Gross, Reuters, Fed, Consumer, Labor Department, Conference, Treasury, Investment, Thomson Locations: Louisville, U.S, WASHINGTON, New York, United States

☆ US consumer confidence jumps to highest level since July 2021
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Minneapolis CNN —High interest rates aren’t souring Americans’ moods: A key measurement of consumer confidence just shot up to a level not seen since July 2021. The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index hit 117 in July, rising from 110.1 the month before, according to new data released Tuesday. The Conference Board’s confidence index and the University of Michigan’s twice-a-month consumer sentiment index are two leading gauges of consumers’ attitudes toward the current and future strength of the economy. Consumer spending, which is a key driver of US economic activity, has eased somewhat in recent months but remains resilient. The Commerce Department on Friday will release the latest data on consumer spending alongside a critical inflation gauge for the Fed.

Persons: ”, Dana Peterson, “, Nathan Howard, ” Ryan Sweet, Chris Rupkey, FwdBonds, Barbie Organizations: Minneapolis CNN —, Conference Board, Washington , D.C, Bloomberg, Getty, University of Michigan’s, Oxford Economics, ‘ Times, Commerce Department, Fed Locations: Minneapolis, Georgetown, Washington ,, Michigan, America

☆ US inflation outlook brightening; consumer sentiment near two-year high
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Data for May was revised to show import prices declining 0.4% instead of the previously reported 0.6%. Though consumer inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, the pace of increase has slowed sharply since peaking in June 2022, giving consumers some relief. INFLATION EXPECTATIONS ANCHOREDThough the survey's inflation expectations increased this month, that was probably because most consumers were interviewed before the release of June's consumer price index report. "Import prices are subtracting from the pernicious trend of the goods inflation Americans have been paying." There were decreases in the cost of nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials as well as food, which canceled out rises in prices for capital goods, consumer goods and motor vehicles.

Persons: Jeffrey Roach, Joanne Hsu, Shannon Seery, Christopher Rupkey, Lucia Mutikani, Christina Fincher, Paul Simao Organizations: Federal Reserve, LPL Financial, Reuters, University of Michigan, University of Michigan's, Consumers, Treasury, Labor, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Charlotte , North Carolina, Wells, New York, United States, China

☆ US producer inflation muted; labor market still tight
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

That was the smallest year-on-year gain since August 2020 and followed a 0.9% increase in May. CORE INFLATION SLOWINGExcluding the volatile food and energy components, the so-called core goods prices fell 0.2% last month after climbing 0.1% in May. In the 12 months through June, the core PPI advanced 2.6%. That was the smallest year-on-year gain since February 2021 and followed a 2.8% increase in May. While inflation is slowing, the labor market remains tight.

Persons: Bill Adams, Jeffrey Roach, Christopher Rupkey, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Paul Simao Organizations: PPI, Labor Department, Federal Reserve, Comerica Bank, Reuters, Financial, Services, Wholesale, Fed, Energy, LPL Financial, Treasury, CPI, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Dallas, Charlotte , North Carolina, Stocks, New York

☆ US economy shifts into disinflation mode; consumer prices rise modestly
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

That was the smallest year-on-year increase since March 2021 and followed a 4.0% rise in May. The year-on-year CPI is slowing in part as last year's large rises drop out of the calculation. It was the first time in six months that the so-called core CPI did not post monthly gains of at least 0.4%. Services prices rose 0.3%, matching May's gain. Economists view the ISM services prices paid measure as a good predictor of personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation.

Persons: Christopher Rupkey, Joe Biden, Chris Zaccarelli, Sarah Silbiger, Michael Gregory, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Fed, Reuters Graphics, CPI, Reuters, Independent, Treasury, El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Institute, Supply, BMO Capital Markets, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, New York, Charlotte , North Carolina, Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, Toronto

☆ US consumer prices post modest gains; economy shifts into disinflation mode
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. Treasury prices rose. It was the first time in six months that the so-called core CPI did not post monthly gains of at least 0.4%. In the 12 months through June, the core CPI rose 4.8%. Core inflation is expected to continue receding in the months ahead, with the labor market cooling and independent measures showing rents on a downward trend. Economists view the ISM services prices paid measure as a good predictor of personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation.

Persons: Christopher Rupkey, Sarah Silbiger, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Reserve, Labor Department, Fed, Reuters Graphics, CPI, Reuters, Treasury, El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Institute, Supply, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, New York, Mount Pleasant, Washington ,

☆ US producer inflation subsides as energy, food prices drop
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Reuters GraphicsGoods prices, which rose 0.2% in April, were last month depressed by a 6.8% tumble in energy prices. Gasoline prices plummeted 13.8%, accounting for 60% of the decrease in goods prices. The cost of services rose 0.2% after advancing 0.3% in April, driven by margins for automobiles and parts retailing. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the so-called core goods prices edged up 0.1% last month, matching April's gain. The narrower measure of core PPI, which strips out food, energy and trade services components, was unchanged after inching up 0.1% in April.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Christopher Rupkey, Veronica Clark, Jerome Powell, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci Organizations: REUTERS, PPI, Labor Department, Federal Reserve, Reuters Graphics, Fed, Reuters, Treasury, Citigroup, CPI, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, WASHINGTON, New York, Ukraine

☆ PPI report: Another key inflation gauge fell sharply in May
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Driven by a decline in energy prices and food prices, this inflation measure has now decelerated for 11 consecutive months. Potential relief for consumersThe PPI is a closely watched inflation gauge, since it captures average price shifts upstream of the consumer. Stripping out the more volatile categories of energy and food, the core PPI index showed that prices increased 0.2% from April and moderated to 2.8% on an annual basis. The May PPI report is the second piece of good inflation news in a two-day span: On Tuesday, the Consumer Price Index showed that inflation eased to 4% on an annual basis in May. “We can’t keep getting inflation data like this and maintain inflation is out of control,” he wrote.

Persons: Price, It’s, ” Kurt Rankin, ”, Chris Rupkey, Rupkey Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, PNC Financial Services Group, PPI, Federal Reserve, CPI Locations: Minneapolis

☆ Rising imports, falling exports push US trade deficit to six-month high
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The trade deficit jumped 23.0% to $74.6 billion, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday. The government revised the goods trade data from 2018 while the trade services figures were revised from 2017. There were also increases in imports of industrial supplies and materials, though petroleum imports fell to the lowest level since August 2021. April's drop in goods exports was led by a sharp decline in exports of industrial supplies and materials, mostly crude oil and fuel oil. Adjusted for inflation, the goods trade deficit shot up 16.5% to $95.8 billion in April.

Persons: Christopher Rupkey, Lucia Mutikani, Toby Chopra, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Commerce Department, Trade, Consumer, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, New York

☆ US weekly jobless claims rise slightly; labor market defies recession fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"Labor market conditions are still tight," said Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics in New York. "While we expect the Fed to leave rates steady at its upcoming meeting, a more sustained loosening of labor market conditions is needed to keep rate hikes permanently off the table." Unadjusted claims increased by 5,296 to 207,941 last week, with notable rises in New York, Ohio and Illinois. While the labor market continues to surprise with strength, manufacturing is in a downward spiral. The Fed's "Beige Book" report on Wednesday described the labor market as having "continued to be strong" in May, but noted that "many contacts" were "fully staffed."

Persons: Nancy Vanden Houten, Unadjusted, nonfarm payrolls, payrolls, Christopher Rupkey, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Paul Simao Organizations: PMI, Federal Reserve, Fed, Labor, Oxford Economics, Labor Department, Reuters, Institute for Supply Management, Treasury, U.S, Thomson Locations: May WASHINGTON, U.S, New York, New York , Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts

☆ US consumer confidence dips to six-month low, labor market views soften
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The Conference Board's consumer confidence index slipped to 102.3 this month, the lowest level since last November, from an upwardly revised 103.7 in April. The cutoff date for the survey, which places more emphasis on the labor market, was May 22. The survey's so-called labor market differential, derived from data on respondents' views on whether jobs are plentiful or hard to get, fell to 31.0, the lowest since April 2021, from 36.9 in April, suggesting the labor market was loosening up. More timely data like first-time applications for state unemployment benefits suggests the labor market remains tight, but is gradually easing. "Investors should expect Friday's job report to reveal emerging cracks in the labor market."

Persons: Christopher Rupkey, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Jeffrey Roach, Nicole Bachaud, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci, Paul Simao Organizations: Labor, Conference, Social Security, Medicare, Reuters, University of, Republican U.S . House, Sunday, U.S . Labor Department, LPL, Treasury, Federal Reserve, National Association of Realtors, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, New York, North Carolina, U.S, Seattle

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