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☆ U.S. job growth totaled 275,000 in February but unemployment rate rose to 3.9%
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowJob creation topped expectations in February, but the unemployment rate moved higher and employment growth from the previous two months wasn't nearly as hot as initially reported. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 275,000 for the month while the jobless rate moved higher to 3.9%, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The jobless level increased as the household survey, used to calculate the unemployment rate, showed a decline of 184,000 in those employed. The increase came even though the labor force participation rate held steady at 62.5%, though the "prime age" rate increased to 83.5%, up two-tenths of a percentage point. An alternative jobless measure, sometimes called the "real" unemployment rate, that includes discouraged workers and those holding part-time jobs for economic reasons rose slightly to 7.3%.

Persons: Nonfarm, Dow Jones, Stocks, It's, Liz Ann Sonders, Charles Schwab, Dan North, Jerome Powell Organizations: Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Dow Jones, Treasury, Government, Futures, Allianz Trade, Capitol

☆ Dollar ends week under pressure as data keeps rate cut hopes alive
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The unemployment rate rose to 3.9% in February after holding at 3.7% for three straight months, the data showed. The euro got a lift this week as the dollar came under pressure after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell sounded more confident about cutting interest rates in coming months. Currencies typically weaken if central banks lower interest rates. Against the yen, the dollar was 0.68% lower at 147.05 yen, its weakest since Feb. 2. Firming hopes that interest rates in the U.S. and Europe will start to fall in June also helped prop up the risk-sensitive Australian and New Zealand dollars.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Stuart Cole, Cole, Powell, Lindsey Bell, Kathleen Brooks, Sterling, BoE, Firming, bitcoin Organizations: Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Equiti, ECB, Federal, Ventures, Bank of, Reuters, European Central Bank, U.S . Federal, Bank of England, New Locations: Japan, Charlotte , North Carolina, Bank of Japan, U.S, Europe, New Zealand

☆ Private payrolls rose by 140,000 in February, less than expected, ADP reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Private sector job growth improved during February though growth was slightly less than expected, payrolls processing firm ADP reported Wednesday. Companies added 140,000 positions for the month, an increase from the upwardly revised 111,000 in January but a bit below the Dow Jones estimate for 150,000. Other industries showing solid gains included trade, transportation and utilities (24,000), finance (17,000) and the other services category (14,000). Of the total, 110,000 came from the services sector while goods producers added 30,000. In recent months, ADP has consistently undershot the closely watched report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which showed an increase of 353,000 in January, more than triple the ADP estimate.

Persons: Dow Jones, Nela Richardson Organizations: Companies, Labor, ADP, Bureau of Labor Statistics

☆ A little-noticed inflation report in the past could get a lot of market attention on Thursday
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

With markets on edge over the direction of inflation, a report Thursday that often flies under the economic radar is likely to take on more importance. The Commerce Department's measure of personal consumption expenditures prices could add to evidence that inflation is stickier than some economists and policymakers had thought. Two-year inflation breakevens, or the difference between Treasury yields and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, have surged in recent days. "But I think the labor market is a lot more fragile than people think. A report Wednesday confirmed that economic growth was solid to close out 2023, with fourth-quarter GDP accelerating at a 3.2% annualized pace adjusted for seasonal factors and inflation.

Persons: Mark Zandi, Zandi, shouldn't, we're, it's, —, Susan Collins, Collins, Dow Jones, Dow, Michelle Cluver, Cluver, I've Organizations: Moody's, Boston, Securities, Treasury, Fed, Labor, CPI, Dow Jones, optimist Locations: U.S

☆ Stubborn inflation means the Fed will be cutting rates less than the market thought
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

If nothing else, the January inflation report released Tuesday finally appears to have convinced markets that Federal Reserve officials weren't kidding around when they said they will take a deliberate approach to cutting interest rates this year. Following the consumer price index report showing the year-over-year reading well ahead of the Fed's desired inflation goal, markets recalibrated their monetary policy expectations. The Fed "faces a challenging task in balancing economic growth and employment while trying to control inflation," he added. Indeed, the narrative of the Fed being able to start cutting early, and moving rapidly through the year, was all but dead Tuesday. The January CPI report is a "setback for the Fed and makes a May rate cut unlikely.

Persons: Ditto, —, it's, Sung Won Sohn, Dow, Jerome Powell, Jason Pride, there's, Powell, Matthew Ryan, Krishna Guha, Guha Organizations: Federal Reserve, CME, Labor, CPI, Loyola Marymount University, SS Economics, Dow Jones, US2Y, CBS, Bank of America, Citigroup, Fed, Evercore ISI

The 2-year Treasury yield nearly three basis points lower at 4.47%. U.S. Treasury yields were slightly lower Monday as investors looked ahead to key economic data and fresh comments from Federal Reserve officials that could provide hints about the interest rate outlook. January's consumer price index is due Tuesday, before the producer price index, retail sales figures and further data points which are slated for later in the week. Investors are hoping that the data will suggest that the Fed could begin cutting rates sooner rather than later. On Friday, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics revised December's consumer price index lower, saying it had risen by 0.2% that month.

Persons: Jerome Powell Organizations: Treasury, U.S, Federal Reserve, Investors, Fed, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics

☆ Inflation in December was even lower than first reported, the government says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The prices consumers pay in the marketplace rose at an even slower pace than originally reported, according to closely watched revisions the government released Friday. Revisions to the consumer price index showed that the broad basket of goods and services measured increased 0.2% on the month, less than the originally reported 0.3%, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said. Indications that inflation in 2022 rose more than anticipated drove Treasury yields higher and sparked worry from investors that the Fed might keep monetary policy more restrictive. Excluding food and energy, so-called core CPI increased 0.3% for the month, the same as originally reported. Fed policymakers tend to focus more on core measures as they provide a better indication of long-run movements in inflation.

Organizations: Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Reuters

☆ Treasury yields rise ahead of key jobs report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The 2-year Treasury yield was last up by over four basis points to 4.2352%. U.S. Treasury yields were higher on Friday as investors looked ahead to key labor market figures and assessed the outlook for interest rates. Investors awaited the January jobs report due on Friday and considered the path ahead for interest rates after the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy decision and guidance was issued earlier in the week. The U.S. Labor Department's jobs report comes after ADP's private payrolls report, which was published earlier in the week, slowed more sharply than expected in January. That comes as uncertainty around the outlook for interest rates, especially regarding a timeline for rate cuts, remains high.

Persons: Dow Jones, payrolls, Jerome Powell Organizations: Treasury, U.S, Federal, Labor, Companies

☆ Tech's longtime highfliers are growing up by getting smaller
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Ari Levy | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

They're still out hunting for the best technical talent, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, but headcount growth is measured. Last year, tech companies were responding to dramatically changing market conditions — soaring inflation, rising interest rates, rotation out of risk — after an extended bull market. Meta slashed over 20,000 jobs in 2023, Amazon laid off more than 27,000 people, And Alphabet cut over 12,000 positions. Other than Nvidia , which had a banner 2023 due to soaring demand for its AI chips, none of the other mega-cap tech companies have been growing at their historic averages. By late this year, analysts are projecting growth at Meta will be back down to the low teens at best.

Persons: Tayfun, There's, Daniel Flax, Neuberger Berman, CNBC's, Morgan Stanley, Brian Nowak, Brian Olsavsky, They're, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Olsavsky, Phil Spencer, Justin Sullivan, Okta, Zuora, Evan Sohn, Recruiter.com, " Sohn, Susan Li, Ben Barringer, Cheviot, Barringer, —, Annie Palmer Organizations: Anadolu Agency, Getty Images Technology, Amazon, Meta, hasn't, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, SAN FRANCISCO, Activision, FTC, Getty, Federal, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tech, Nvidia, Finance, CNBC Locations: Menlo Park , California, Silicon Valley, CALIFORNIA, San Francisco , California

☆ U.S. economy added 353,000 jobs in January, much better than expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Nonfarm payrolls expanded by 353,000 for the month, much better than the Dow Jones estimate for 185,000, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Job growth was widespread on the month, led by professional and business services with 74,000. The report also indicated that December's job gains were much better than originally reported. The January payrolls count comes with economists and policymakers closely watching employment figures for direction on the larger economy. The fourth quarter saw GDP increase at a strong 3.3% annualized pace, closing out a year in which the economy defied widespread predictions for a recession.

Persons: Dow Jones, Jerome Powell Organizations: Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Labor, Gross, Atlanta, Fed Locations: U.S

☆ Private payroll growth slowed to just 107,000 in January, below expectations, ADP reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A 7-Eleven convenience store has a sign in the window reading "Now Hiring" in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., July 8, 2022. Private payroll growth declined sharply in January, a possible sign that the U.S. labor market is heading for a slowdown this year, ADP reported Wednesday. Only one sector — information services (-9,000) — reported a decline, but hiring was slow across virtually all sectors. While the ADP data can provide a barometer for private sector hiring, the two reports often differ, with ADP often undershooting the Labor Department's numbers. On wage gains, ADP reported a 5.2% annual rise, a number that has run above the government's measure of average hourly earnings.

Persons: Dow Jones, —, nonfarm, Nela Richardson Organizations: ADP, Companies, Labor, CNBC PRO Locations: Cambridge , Massachusetts, U.S

☆ 10-year Treasury yield falls as Fed meeting is due to begin
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

ET, the yield on the 10-year Treasury was down by over three basis points to 4.0586%. the 2-year Treasury yield was last less than one basis points lower at 4.3180%. U.S. Treasury yields were lower on Tuesday as investors awaited fresh economic data and as the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy meeting is set to begin. The Fed's January meeting is due to kick off Tuesday and conclude with a fresh interest rate decision and guidance on the outlook for monetary policy on Wednesday. At the Fed's last meeting in December, policymakers indicated that they were expecting three rate cuts in 2024, but minutes from the meeting showed that the path ahead for monetary policy remained highly uncertain.

Persons: December's Organizations: Treasury, U.S, Federal, Traders, U.S . Labor

☆ Labor Department's new independent contractor rule could help workers recover lost wages—here's how
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Independent workers make up about 45% of the U.S. workforce, according to a 2023 report by MBO Partners, a platform dedicated to their needs. That's more than 72 million Americans altogether, with nearly 30 million of them working independently full-time. This misclassification could lead to a loss in income, ineligibility for state and federal unemployment systems and so on. Nearly 10% of independent contractors make less than $7.25 per hour, according to the National Employment Law Project. A new rule change under the Fair Labor Standards Act, set to take effect on March 11, is aimed at curbing this misclassification.

Persons: Sally Dworak, Fisher, Samantha Sanders Organizations: MBO Partners, National Employment Law, Economic, Institute, Fair Labor Locations: NELP

☆ Some of the biggest optimists on Wall Street see 3 threats to a strong labor market
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The labor market may be returning to pre-pandemic conditions, Goldman Sachs found. "Broadly speaking, our analysis indicates a labor market returning to pre-pandemic norms, best characterized as a somewhat tight labor market that does not pose an inflation problem," the economists wrote. AdvertisementRecently, labor market data has been somewhat all over the place. Though these findings may point to a recovering labor market reminiscent of pre-pandemic times, GS noted some headwinds. GS also found that the labor market is at a higher risk of what it called "deterioration" in 2024 than in 2019.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, — Organizations: Service, GS, Labor, of Labor Statistics, ISM Services, Goldman, Federal Reserve, Employment Dynamics Locations: JOLTS

☆ Why that ‘last mile’ of the inflation fight may be more challenging
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Inflation measures how fast prices are rising for goods and services — anything from concert tickets and haircuts to groceries and furniture. That means further broad disinflation likely won't come from consumer goods, economists said. In fact, attacks by Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea threaten to disrupt a key transit corridor and may trigger higher goods inflation if it persists, El-Erian explained. While down from more than 7% last year, services inflation still sits at 5.3%. Why this may all be 'nonsense'Not all economists think the last mile of disinflation will be harder than what came before, however.

Persons: Robyn Beck, Mohamed El, We're, Gargi Chaudhuri, Houthi, Erian, Chaudhuri, Mark Zandi, Sarah House, Paul Ashworth Organizations: Afp, Getty, Allianz, Queens ' College, University of Cambridge, CNBC, Americas, BlackRock, Finance, of Labor Statistics, Labor, Moody's Analytics, Wells, Wells Fargo Economics, Capital Economics Locations: Los Angeles, U.S, Wells Fargo

When employees who contribute to a 401(k) plan leave a company, they have options for what to do with that money. The guidance investors receive from a financial professional or firm about handling old 401(k)s has been exempt from investment advice rules. And, there are different standards for financial advice. The Biden administration wants investment advice given when making these decisions to come from a fiduciary — and the Department of Labor has proposed rules to make that happen. They also argue that existing laws have been established to safeguard consumers seeking financial advice.

Persons: Biden, Labor Department's, Ann Wagner Organizations: Department of Labor, Finance, Labor, Financial, Capital Markets

☆ The runway is getting clearer, but the U.S. economy still isn't assured of a soft landing
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-08 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Stephanie Keith | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesNovember's solid jobs report did not assure that the economy will come in for a soft landing, but it did help to clear the runway a little more. "Overall, the jobs market is doing its part to get us to a soft landing," said Daniel Zhao, lead economist at jobs rating site Glassdoor. The unemployment rate unexpectedly declined to 3.7%, easing worries that it could trigger a historically dead-on signal known as the Sahm Rule, which coordinates increases of the unemployment rate by half a percentage point to recessions. "The recession versus soft landing debate sort of misses the necessary nuances of this unique cycle," Sonders said. "A best-case scenario is not so much a soft landing, because that ship has already sailed for [some] segments.

Persons: Stephanie Keith, Daniel Zhao, nonfarm, Gus Faucher, Liz Ann Sonders, Charles Schwab, Sonders, Sanders, Schwab Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Labor, PNC Financial Services, PNC, University of Michigan's Locations: New York, U.S

☆ US job openings hit more than 2-1/2-year low as labor market cools
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 9.30 million job openings in October. Job openings decreased by 168,000 in the finance and insurance industry, while real estate, rental and leasing had 49,000 fewer positions. The job openings rate dropped to 5.3% from 5.6% in September. "The current state of the labor market suggests no further recalibration is necessary to bring the labor market back into balance," said Nick Bunker, director of economics research at Indeed Hiring Lab. They also described the labor market as remaining "very competitive," and "trying to get to full staff levels."

Persons: Brian Snyder, Rubeela Farooqi, Nick Bunker, Conrad DeQuadros, November's, Bill Adams, Lucia Mutikani, Chizu Organizations: Taylor Party, Equipment Rentals, REUTERS, Labor, Survey, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Reuters, Treasury, Brean, Institute for Supply Management, PMI, United Auto Workers, UAW, Comerica Bank, Thomson Locations: Somerville , Massachusetts, U.S, WASHINGTON, White Plains , New York, South, Midwest, New York, East, Dallas

Still, despite the sharp drop in October, job openings remain at historically high levels. And the unemployment rate has come in below 4% for 21 straight months, the longest such streak since the 1960s. The unemployment rate is expected to have remained at 3.9%, according to a survey of forecasters by the data firm FactSet. Though unemployment remains low, 1.93 million Americans were collecting unemployment benefits in the week that ended Nov. 18, the most in two years. The cooling of the job market could mean a lessening of inflation pressures and less need for the Fed to keep interest rates high.

Persons: —, Rubeela Farooqi, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Labor, Federal Reserve, The Labor Department, Hollywood, Fed Locations: — U.S

☆ Fed is 'disconnected' from reality, must cut rates 5 times next year, portfolio manager says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Chris Wattie | ReutersThe Federal Reserve needs to cut interest rates at least five times next year to avoid tipping the U.S. economy into a recession, according to portfolio manager Paul Gambles. "I think Fed policy is now so disconnected from economic factors and from reality that you can't make any assumptions about when the Fed is going to wake up and and start smelling the amount of damage that they're actually causing to the economy," Gambles warned. The current U.S. policy rate stands at 5.25%-5.50%, the highest in 22 years. Traders are now pricing in a 25-basis-point cut as early as March 2024, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. The perception now being that the U.S. central bank is effectively done raising interest rates.

Persons: Chris Wattie, Paul Gambles, CNBC's, Gambles, Jerome Powell, Powell, Wall, David Roche, Roche Organizations: Reuters, Federal Reserve, MBMG, Traders, Federal, Financial, Labor Locations: U.S

☆ Job openings slide to 8.7 million in October, well below estimate, to lowest level since March 2021
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Job openings tumbled in October to their lowest in 2½ years, a sign the historically tight labor market could be loosening. The number was well below the 9.4 million estimate from Dow Jones and the lowest since March 2021. Federal Reserve policymakers watch the report, known as the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, closely for signs of labor slack. While job openings fell dramatically, total hires only nudged lower while layoffs and separations were modestly higher. Declines in job openings were widespread by industry.

Persons: Dow Jones, Tuan Nguyen, nonfarm Organizations: Labor Department, Dow, Federal Reserve, Labor, Survey, Fed, RSM, Committee, Traders, CNBC PRO Locations: U.S, October's

☆ Jim Cramer says buy P&G, Starbucks on unwarranted pullbacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a Morning Meeting livestream at 10:20 a.m. But Jim Cramer urged investors to look past the headlines and stick with this solid name that boasts a $350 billion market capitalization. Club holding Eli Lilly (LLY) said Tuesday that its recently approved obesity treatment Zepbound is now available in U.S. pharmacies . As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER .

Persons: Jim Cramer, Procter, Jim, —, Eli Lilly, LLY, Lilly, Jim Cramer's Organizations: CNBC, Nasdaq, Labor, Treasury, West Texas, Club, Procter, Gamble Locations: Argentina, Nigeria, China, U.S

☆ Why investors should stick with Palo Alto Networks long term
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a Morning Meeting livestream at 10:20 a.m. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB.

Persons: Jim Cramer, Emerson, We're, Morgan Stanley, Jim Cramer's, Jim Organizations: CNBC, Big Tech, Nasdaq, Labor, Treasury, West Texas, Emerson, National Instruments, Club, Palo Alto Networks Locations: Friday's, Eaton, pullbacks

☆ L.A. poultry firm hired kids as young as 14 to work with sharp knives, Labor Dept. says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Laura Strickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"The Exclusive Poultry and owner Tony Bran willfully withheld workers' hard-earned wages, endangered young workers and retaliated against employees to conceal their wrongdoing," said Jessica Looman, administrator of the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division. Labor investigators repeatedly went to the company's poultry processing locations and said in affidavits they saw young workers they estimated were 14 to 17 years of age, but the workers refused to talk and would run from them. The Labor Department told NBC News it subsequently confirmed that some of the workers were as young as 14. Workers allegedly told investigators that minors who worked at the company were hidden in closets and bathrooms when the investigators arrived so they would not be found. In fall 2022, the department found more than 100 children, some as young as 13, cleaning slaughterhouses for a Midwestern firm.

Persons: Tony Bran, Jessica Looman, Anthony McClaren, McClaren, Bran, Biden Organizations: Labor Department, Aldi, Ralphs, Kroger, Labor, NBC, NBC News, Department of Labor, Workers Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Fed's favorite gauge shows inflation rose 0.2% in October and 3.5% from a year ago, as expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The personal consumption expenditures price index, excluding food and energy prices, rose 0.2% for the month and 3.5% on a year-over-year basis, the Commerce Department reported. Energy prices fell 2.6% on the month, helping keep overall inflation in check, even as food prices increased 0.2%. Goods prices saw a 0.3% decrease while services rose 0.2%. On the services side, the biggest gainers were international travel, health care and food services and accommodations. I'm hearing normalizing, not recession, but I am hearing consumer slowing down."

Persons: Dow Jones, Stocks, Bonds, Bill Adams, John Williams, Thomas Barkin Organizations: Federal Reserve, Commerce Department, Energy, Dow Jones, Treasury, Labor, Fed, Labor Department, Comerica Bank, . New York Fed, Richmond Fed, CNBC, European Central Bank, CNBC PRO Locations: ., New York

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