• U.S. Gross Domestic Product - Q1 2014

---

Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 0.1 percent in the first quarter (that is, from the fourth quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014). In the fourth quarter, real GDP increased 2.6 percent. This first-quarter advance estimate is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision. The second estimate for the first quarter, based on more complete data, will be released on May 29, 2014. The increase in real GDP in the first quarter primarily reflected a positive contribution from personal consumption expenditures (PCE) that was partly offset by negative contributions from exports, private inventory investment, nonresidential fixed investment, residential fixed investment, and state and local government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, decreased. See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BEA

---

• U.S. Employment Cost Index - March 2014

---

Civilian Workers: Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2014. In March 2013, the increase in compensation costs was 1.9 percent. Prior values for this series, which began in June 1982, ranged from 1.4 percent to 7.5 percent. Wages and salaries increased 1.6 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2014, unchanged from March 2013. Benefit costs increased 2.1 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2014, compared with a 2.4 percent increase for the 12-month period ending March 2013. Private Industry Workers: Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 1.7 percent over the year. In March 2013 the increase was 1.9 percent. Wages and salaries increased 1.7 percent for the current 12-month period ending March 2014, unchanged from March 2013. The increase in the cost of benefits was 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2014. In March 2013, the increase in the cost of benefits was 2.0 percent. Employer costs for health benefits increased 2.4 percent over the year. In March 2013 the increase was 3.0 percent. State and Local Government Workers: Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 1.9 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2014, unchanged from March 2013. Wages and salaries increased 1.2 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2014, compared with 1.0 percent in March 2013. Benefit costs increased 3.0 percent in March 2014. In March 2013, the increase was 3.5 percent. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Metropolitan Area Employment And Unemployment - March 2014

---

Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 333 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 30 areas, and unchanged in 9 areas. Twenty-five areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 59 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred ninety-nine metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 59 areas had decreases, and 14 areas had no change. The national unemployment rate in March was 6.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.6 percent a year earlier. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• Employment Characteristics of U.S. Families - 2013

---

The number of families with at least one member unemployed decreased to 7.7 million in 2013 from 8.4 million in 2012. The proportion of families with an unemployed member decreased to 9.6 percent in 2013. Black and Hispanic families remained more likely to have an unemployed member in 2013 (16.0 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively) than white and Asian families (8.5 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively). See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Real Personal Income for States and Metropolitan Areas - 2008-2012

---

Real personal income across all regions rose by an average of 2.3% in 2012. Growth in real state personal income ranged from a decline of 1.2% in South Dakota to an increase of 15.1% in North Dakota. Growth in real metropolitan area personal income ranged from a decline of 3.8% in Kennewick-Richland, WA to an increase of 10.2% in Odessa, TX. See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BEA

---

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 19 April 2014

---

In the week ending April 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 329,000, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 304,000 to 305,000. The 4-week moving average was 316,750, an increase of 4,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 312,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.0 percent for the week ending April 12, a decrease of 0.1 percent from the previous week's unrevised rate of 2.1 percent. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending April 5 were in Alaska (4.9), New Jersey (3.6), Connecticut (3.3), Illinois (3.3), Pennsylvania (3.2), Puerto Rico (3.2), California (3.1), Rhode Island (3.1), Massachusetts (3.0), Maine (2.8), Nevada (2.8), and Wisconsin (2.8). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 12 were in California (+9,213), Michigan (+2,900), Pennsylvania (+2,618), Texas (+1,792), and Indiana (+1,723), while the largest decreases were in Oregon (-2,244), Georgia (-1,602), Ohio (-1,007), Massachusetts (-615), and Illinois (-571). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. College Enrollment and Work Activity of 2013 High School Graduates

---

Of the nearly 3.0 million youth age 16 to 24 who graduated from high school between January and October 2013, about 2.0 million (65.9 percent) were enrolled in college in October. The college enrollment rate of recent high school graduates in October 2013 was little different from the rate in October 2012 (66.2 percent). For 2013 graduates, the college enrollment rate was 68.4 percent for young women and 63.5 percent for young men. The college enrollment rate of Asians (79.1 percent) was higher than the rates for recent white (67.1 percent), black (59.3 percent), and Hispanic (59.9 percent) graduates. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Business Economists Expect Slow Wage Growth to Continue

---

”…survey respondents note that they expect wage growth to remain fairly subdued, rising between zero and 3% over the next three years. ”They also expect unemployment rates to eventually fall to between 5 and 6% as the nation continues on its path to recovery over the next three years.” See the complete report at this link: National Association for Business Economics

---

• U.S. Employment, Unemployment By State and Region – March 2014

---

In March, 21 states had over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, 17 states and the District of Columbia had increases, and 12 states had no change. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 34 states, decreased in 16 states, and was unchanged in the district. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• Usual Weekly Earnings of U.S. Wage And Salary Workers – Q1 2014

---

Median weekly earnings of the nation's 104.3 million full-time wage and salary workers were $796 in the first quarter of 2014 (not seasonally adjusted). This was 3.0 percent higher than a year earlier, compared with a gain of 1.4 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) over the same period. Women who usually worked full time had median weekly earnings of $722, or 82.8 percent of the $872 median for men. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 12 April 2014

---

In the week ending April 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 304,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 300,000 to 302,000. The 4-week moving average was 312,000, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since October 6, 2007 when it was 302,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.1 percent for the week ending April 5, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate of 2.1 percent. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 29 were in Alaska (4.9), Connecticut (3.5), Pennsylvania (3.5), New Jersey (3.4), Rhode Island (3.4), California (3.2), Puerto Rico (3.2), Illinois (3.1), Massachusetts (3.1), and Wisconsin (3.1). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 5 were in Michigan (+4,285), Pennsylvania (+2,335), New Jersey (+1,630), Florida (+1,624), and Georgia (+1,453), while the largest decreases were in California (-13,892), Iowa (-1,266), Kentucky (-699), Tennessee (-582), and Idaho (-383). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. New College Graduate Hiring to Increase 8.6 Percent

---

”Employers expect to hire more new college graduates this year for their U.S. operations than they did last year, according to a new survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).... ”Overall, 48.4 percent of respondents say they are increasing their college hiring; less than 30 percent plan to cut back. In comparison, last year at this time, 49.2 percent reported plans to raise their college hire numbers, but approximately 36 percent said they would trim college hiring. ”Nearly all responding employers continue to recruit and hire this spring; less than 10 percent say that they concluded their college hiring in fall 2013. ”Nearly two-thirds say they are hiring for full-time and internship positions this spring.” See the complete report at this link: NACEWeb.org

---

• U.S. Real Earnings – March 2014

---

Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.3 percent from February to March, seasonally adjusted. This decrease stems from unchanged average hourly earnings and a 0.2 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Real average weekly earnings rose 0.3 percent over the month due to the 0.3 percent decrease in real average hourly earnings being more than offset by a 0.6 percent increase in the average workweek. Real average hourly earnings rose 0.5 percent, seasonally adjusted, from March 2013 to March 2014. The increase in real average hourly earnings, combined with an unchanged average workweek, resulted in a 0.5 percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Consumer Price Index – March 2014

---

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 236.293 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.6 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 232.560 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.7 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index rose 0.6 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. The Consumer Price Index for April 2014 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Producer Price Index – March 2014

---

The Producer Price Index for final demand advanced 0.5 percent in March. This increase followed a decline of 0.1 percent in February and a rise of 0.2 percent in January. In March, the index for final demand services rose 0.7 percent and prices for final demand goods were unchanged. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 05 April 2014

---

In the week ending April 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 300,000, a decrease of 32,000 from the previous week's revised level. The last time initial claims were this low was May 12, 2007 when they were 297,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 326,000 to 332,000. The 4-week moving average was 316,250, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,500 from 319,500 to 321,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.1 percent for the week ending March 29, a decrease of 0.1 from the previous week's unrevised rate of 2.2 percent.ending The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 22 were in Alaska (5.2), New Jersey (3.9), Connecticut (3.7), California (3.6), Rhode Island (3.6), Illinois (3.5), Pennsylvania (3.5), Puerto Rico (3.4), Massachusetts (3.2), Montana (3.1), Wisconsin (3.1), and Maine (3.0). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 29 were in California (+17,626), Oregon (+1,851), Ohio (+1,200), Kentucky (+1,119), and Illinois (+941), while the largest decreases were in Pennsylvania (-2,007), Texas (- 1,821), Missouri (-889), New Jersey (-774), and Puerto Rico (-538). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Major Metropolitan Area Employment, Unemployment – February 2014

---

Jobless rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 338 of the 372 major metropolitan areas monitored by the BLS, higher in 25, and unchanged in 9. Nonfarm payroll employment was up in 286 metropolitan areas over the year, down in 77, and unchanged in 9. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Job Openings and Labor Turnover – February 2014

---

There were 4.2 million job openings in February, up from 3.9 million in January. The number of openings rose for total private and was little changed for government. The number of job openings increased in retail trade and in professional and business services, while the number of job openings decreased in arts, entertainment, and recreation. The South region experienced a rise in job openings in February. The hires rate (3.3 percent) and separations rate (3.2 percent) were unchanged in February. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Days of Work Lost Due to Labor Disputes (Strikes)

---

Chart shows total lost work days [000s] for the 12 months ended with the X-axis month. Data source:: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Employment Situation – March 2014

---

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 192,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7 percent. Employment grew in professional and business services, in health care, and in mining and logging. In March, the number of unemployed persons was essentially unchanged at 10.5 million, and the unemployment rate held at 6.7 percent. Both measures have shown little movement since December 2013. Over the year, the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate were down by 1.2 million and 0.8 percentage point, respectively. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Starting Salaries Up 1.2 Percent for Class of 2014 Grads

---

The average starting salary for new college graduates earning bachelor’s degrees has increased 1.2 percent over last year, according to a new report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). See the complete report at this link: NACEWeb.org

---

• U.S. Presidential Memorandum Updating and Modernizing Overtime Regulations - March 13, 2014;

---

AGENCY: Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor. On March 13, 2014, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum to the Secretary of Labor, directing him to modernize and streamline the existing overtime regulations for executive, administrative and professional employees. The last change to these overtime regulations was in 2004. The text of this memorandum reads…. See the complete report at this link: Federal Register of 03 APR 2014

---

• U.S Multifactor Productivity Trends - 2012

---

Private nonfarm business sector multifactor productivity increased at a 1.5 percent annual rate in 2012. This gain in 2012 reflected a 3.8-percent increase in output and 2.2-percent increase in the combined inputs of capital and labor. Capital services grew by 1.4 percent, and labor input – which is the combined effect of hours worked and labor composition – grew 2.7 percent, the largest gain since 1997. Capital services per hour of all persons decreased at a rate of 0.8 percent in 2012 after falling 1.1 percent in 2011. The decreases in 2011 and 2012 are the only two years of decline in the measure which began in 1987. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 29 March 2014

---

In the week ending March 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 326,000, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 310,000. The 4-week moving average was 319,500, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average of 319,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent for the week ending March 22, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's revised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 15 were in Alaska (5.3), New Jersey (3.9), Pennsylvania (3.8), Connecticut (3.7), Rhode Island (3.7), California (3.4), Illinois (3.4), Montana (3.4), Massachusetts (3.3), and Wisconsin (3.3). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 22 were in Texas (+2,424), Florida (+1,698), Puerto Rico (+668), Iowa (+580), and Kansas (+326), while the largest decreases were in California (-8,725), Nebraska (-1,121), Washington (-801), Arkansas (-713), and Tennessee (-698). Click on chart to enlarge Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---

• U.S. Occupational Employment and Wages - 2013

---

Most of the largest occupations were relatively low paying. Of the 10 largest occupations, only registered nurses, with an annual mean wage of $68,910, had an average wage above the U.S. all-occupations mean of $22.33 per hour or $46,440 annually. Annual mean wages for the rest of the 10 largest occupations ranged from $18,880 for combined food preparation and serving workers to $34,000 for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

---