Research Center
Economy Watch: Stable Gas Prices?
After the disappointing jobs numbers on Friday, attention turned to the price of gas, which has bedeviled the U.S. economy since the beginning of the year (and during part of last year and in 2008).
Economy Watch: Retailers Shed Jobs, Put Dent in March Employment Numbers
The headline number for employment in March was the creation of 120,000 new jobs by the U.S. economy. Since the eligible-to-work population grows roughly that much each month, that means that the economy treaded water for the month, following a few months when job growth exceeded population growth.
'Economy Watch' Podcast with Dees Stribling: March Employment Disappoints
March employment disappoints, noises made about Spain being the next threat to the euro.
Economy Watch: Job Creation Pace Slows in March
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday that the U.S. economy created a net of 120,000 new jobs in March, less than expected after a run of months in which employment gains were over 200,000.
Economy Watch: ADP Reports Strong Hiring
The ADP National Employment Report, which always comes out two days before the official U.S. government unemployment numbers, said on Wednesday that the American private sector added a net of 209,000 positions in February.
Economy Watch: Not So Fast on That QE3
The Federal Open Market Committee, which released notes from its March 13 meeting on Tuesday, dampened expectations of some kind of QE3 in the not-too-distant future.
Economy Watch: Consumers Feeling Pretty Good
U.S. consumers were feeling peppy in February, according to the Reuter’s/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index. Consumer sentiment in March was at 76.2, its highest level since early 2011, notes the survey of 500 households on their financial condition and outlook.
'Economy Watch' Podcast with Dees Stribling: Consumers More Confident
Consumers were more confident and out spending more last month, despite sluggish income growth and declining housing values.
Economy Watch: Initial Unemployment Claims Down, 4Q GDP Stands Pat
Unemployment claims for the week ending March 24 dropped by 5,000 to 359,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday, the lowest that particular number has been since April 2008, back in the days of crummy growth, but before the full-fledged Great Recession.
Economy Watch: Governments Out to Pop Oil Bubble
Citing British and American sources, as well as France’s Energy Minister Eric Besson, media reports said on Wednesday that the three nations seemed poised to deal with fuel prices in the coming weeks by releasing strategic oil stocks.