28 March 2014

• U.S. Regional and State Employment and Unemployment -- February 2014


Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in February. Twenty-nine states had unemployment rate decreases from January, 10 states had increases, and 11 states and the District of Columbia had no change.

Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier and one state had no change.

The national jobless rate, 6.7 percent, was little changed from January, but was 1.0 percentage point lower than in February 2013.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


• Determined to Drive Every Last Vestige of Jobs Out of the State, Connecticut Legislature Enacts Highest Minimum Wage in the U.S.


A. ”On a visit to Connecticut earlier this month, President Barack Obama urged Congress to raise the federal minimum to the same $10.10 level....”

B.”Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy on Thursday signed into law a measure that will phase in the highest minimum wage of any U.S. state, in line with a push by Democrats nationwide to raise the entry-level wage.

”The bill, which was approved by state legislators a day earlier, will raise the state's minimum hourly rate to $10.10, a figure that matches what U.S. President Barack Obama has asked Congress to consider imposing nationally….”

See the complete reports at these links: A. Reuters B. Reuters

Note: Reuters is not responsible for the title on this posting


• U.S. Personal Income and Outlays - February 2014


Personal income increased $47.7 billion, or 0.3 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $42.3 billion, or 0.3 percent, in February.

Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $30.8 billion, or 0.3 percent.

[In January, personal income increased $41.3 billion, or 0.3 percent, DPI increased $40.3 billion, or 0.3 percent, and PCE increased $20.0 billion, or 0.2 percent, based on revised estimates.]

Real DPI increased 0.3 percent in February, compared with an increase of 0.2 percent in January. Real PCE increased 0.2 percent in February, compared with an increase of 0.1 percent in January.

See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BEA


27 March 2014

• U.S. Productivity and Costs By Industry: Manufacturing Industries - 2012


Labor productivity -- defined as output per hour -- rose in 54 percent of the detailed manufacturing industries covered in 2012. This was down from 68 percent in 2011.

Unit labor costs, which reflect the total labor costs required to produce a unit of output, declined in 39 percent of the industries in 2012 compared to 49 percent in 2011.

More than half of industries with productivity increases posted declines in unit labor costs.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


• No, It’s Not April Fool’s Day, It’s Just the NLRB At Work


”Unions: NRLB rules that college players are employees under the NLRA.

"In a stunning development, on March 26, 2014, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional director in Chicago concluded that a group of Northwestern football players are employees who have the right to collectively bargain. In other words, they can unionize. More specifically, they can become the first ever college athletes to unionize."

See the complete report at this link: HR.BLR.com


• U.S. Gross Domestic Product – Q4 2013


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 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 (that is, from the third quarter to the fourth quarter), according to the "third" estimate. In the third quarter, real GDP increased 4.1 percent.

The GDP estimate released today is based on more complete source data than were available for the "second" estimate issued last month. In the second estimate, the increase in real GDP was 2.4 percent. With this third estimate for the fourth quarter, the general picture of economic growth remains largely the same; personal consumption expenditures (PCE) was larger than previously estimated, while private investment in inventories and in intellectual property products were smaller than previously estimated.

The increase in real GDP in the fourth quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from PCE, exports, and nonresidential fixed investment that were partly offset by negative contributions from federal government spending and residential fixed investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.

The deceleration in real GDP growth in the fourth quarter reflected a downturn in private inventory investment, a larger decrease in federal government spending, a downturn in residential fixed investment, and a deceleration in state and local government spending that were partly offset by accelerations in PCE and in exports, a deceleration in imports, and an acceleration in nonresidential fixed investment.

See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BEA


• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 22 March 2014


In the week ending March 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 311,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 321,000.

The 4-week moving average was 317,750, a decrease of 9,500 from the previous week's revised average of 327,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent for the week ending March 15, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 8 were in Alaska (5.5), New Jersey (4.1), Rhode Island (3.9), Connecticut (3.8), Pennsylvania (3.7), California (3.6), Illinois (3.6), Montana (3.4), Massachusetts (3.3), and Wisconsin (3.3).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 15 were in California (+3,189), Nebraska (+1,044), Virginia (+513), Missouri (+492), and Tennessee (+474), while the largest decreases were in Pennsylvania (-3,166), Illinois (-2,320), New York (-2,155), Texas (-1,373), and Wisconsin (-1,055).

Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


26 March 2014

• U.S. Young Adults: Jobs, Education, and Households


A longitudinal study of 27 year-olds reveals that men averaged 6.0 jobs and women 6.3 jobs from ages 18 to 26.

High school dropouts were employed 54 percent of weeks compared to 71 percent of weeks for high school graduates.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


25 March 2014

• U.S. State Income Growth Slowed - 2012


Average state personal income growth slowed to 2.6 percent in 2013 from 4.2 percent in 2012.

State personal income growth ranged from 1.5 percent in West Virginia to 7.6 percent in North Dakota, with every state growing more slowly in 2013 than in 2012.

Inflation, as measured by the national price index for personal consumption expenditures, slowed to 1.1 percent in 2013 from 1.8 percent in 2012.

See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BEA


• U.S. Loses Edge As Employment Powerhouse


"The labour force participation rate – the proportion of adults who are either working or looking for work – started to decline in the US in 2000 and has plunged since 2008 from 66 to 63 per cent."

See the complete report at this link: Financial Times


24 March 2014

• U.S. Business Economists Predict Slow Job Growth


“Further labor market recovery is anticipated. Nonfarm payrolls are forecasted to post an average monthly gain of 188,000 for all of 2014, slightly below the 194,000 recorded last year.

”Panelists anticipate stronger job creation of 205,000 per month in 2015.

”The unemployment rate is expected to average 6.4% in 2014, down a full percentage point from 2013, and decline to 6.1% in 2015.”

Please visit this link to read the full article: NABE


21 March 2014

• U.S. Metropolitan Employment – January 2014


Jobless rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 367 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 3, and unchanged in 2.

Nonfarm payroll employment was up in 316 metropolitan areas over the year, down in 48, and unchanged in 8.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


20 March 2014

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 15 March 2014


In the week ending March 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 320,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 315,000.

The 4-week moving average was 327,000, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 330,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent for the week ending March 8, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 1 were in Alaska (5.5), New Jersey (4.0), Rhode Island (4.0), Connecticut (3.9), Connecticut (3.8), California (3.7), Montana (3.6), Wisconsin (3.5), Illinois (3.4), and Massachusetts (3.4).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 8 were in Pennsylvania (+1,961), Washington (+982), Wisconsin (+830), Arkansas (+745), and Illinois (+590), while the largest decreases were in New York (-17,548), Michigan (-1,971), California (-1,262), Connecticut (-1,079), and New Hampshire (-783).

Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


19 March 2014

• U.S. Employment by County – Q3 2014


From third quarter 2012 to third quarter 2013, San Mateo, Calif., had the largest percentage increase in average weekly wages at 9.9 percent. Fort Bend, Texas, had the largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment in September 2013 at 6.0 percent.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


18 March 2014

• U.S. Real Average Earnings – February 2014


Real average hourly earnings for all employees rose 0.3 percent from January to February, seasonally adjusted. This increase stems from a 0.4 percent increase in average hourly earnings being partially offset by a 0.1 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Real average weekly earnings were unchanged over the month due to the 0.3 percent increase in real average hourly earnings being offset by a 0.3 percent decrease in the average workweek.

Real average hourly earnings rose 1.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, from February 2013 to February 2014. The increase in real average hourly earnings, combined with a 0.9 percent decline in the average workweek, resulted in a 0.2 percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


• U.S. Consumer Price Index – February 2014


The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 234.781 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.4 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.0 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 230.871 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.4 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.0 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index rose 0.4 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2012 period are subject to revision.

The Consumer Price Index for March 2014 is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


17 March 2014

• U.S. Regional & State Unemployment & Employment – January 2014


In January, 43 states and the District of Columbia had over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, 1 state had an increase, and 6 states had no change. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 27 states and the district and increased in 23 states.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


14 March 2014

• U.S. Producer Price Indexes - February 2014


The Producer Price Index for final demand fell 0.1 percent in February, seasonally adjusted. This decline followed advances of 0.2 percent in January and 0.1 percent in December. On an unadjusted basis, the index for final demand moved up 0.9 percent for the 12 months ended in February, the smallest 12-month rise since a 0.9- percent increase in May 2013.

In February, the 0.1-percent decrease in final demand prices can be traced to the index for final demand services, which fell 0.3 percent. In contrast, prices for final demand goods advanced 0.4 percent.

Within intermediate demand, the index for processed goods climbed 0.7 percent, prices for unprocessed goods jumped 5.7 percent, and the index for services rose 0.2 percent.

See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BLS


13 March 2014

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 08 March 2014


In the week ending March 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 315,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 324,000.

The 4-week moving average was 330,500, a decrease of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average of 336,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent for the week ending March 1, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending February 22 were in Alaska (5.9), Rhode Island (4.4), New Jersey (4.3), Connecticut (4.1), Pennsylvania (3.8), California (3.7), Illinois (3.7), Massachusetts (3.6), Montana (3.6), and Wisconsin (3.5).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 1 were in New York (+18,709), Florida (1,940), Illinois (+1,789), Texas (+1,245), and New Hampshire (+849), while the largest decreases were in California (-5,765), Georgia (-5,437), Massachusetts (-3,770), Pennsylvania (-2,086), and South Carolina (-2,006).

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


12 March 2014

• U.S. Employer Costs For Employee Compensation – December 2013


Private industry employers spent an average of $29.63 per hour worked for total employee compensation in December 2013. Wages and salaries averaged $20.76 per hour worked and accounted for 70.1 percent of these costs, while benefits averaged $8.87 and accounted for the remaining 29.9 percent.

Total compensation costs for state and local government workers averaged $42.89 per hour worked in December 2013.

Total employer compensation costs for civilian workers, which include private industry and state and local government workers, averaged $31.57 per hour worked in December 2013.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


11 March 2014

• U.S. Job Openings, Hires, Turnover – January 2014


The number of job openings (not seasonally adjusted) increased over the year for total nonfarm and total private but decreased for government. Over the year, the number of job openings increased in several industries while it decreased in real estate and rental and leasing and in federal government.

Over the 12 months ending in January, the number of hires (not seasonally adjusted) changed little for total nonfarm, total private, and government. Hires levels rose over the year in professional and business services and in educational services.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


07 March 2014

• U.S. Help-Wanted Advertising – February 2014


”Online advertised vacancies rose to 5,186,200 in February, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series released today. The February Supply/Demand rate stands at 2.1 unemployed for each vacancy with a total of 5.3 million more unemployed workers than the number of advertised vacancies.

"’After a very lackluster 2013, the large February increase is the first signal in many months of possible renewed strength in demand for labor,’ said June Shelp, Vice President of The Conference Board. ‘The large increase may partially be a result of pent-up demand following the bad winter weather across the U.S.’

“The February data brightens (sic) the demand for service occupations like transportation, healthcare support and office work; however, for these occupations there are still two to three unemployed competing for each advertised vacancy. By contrast, for the high-demand computer and healthcare professional jobs there is notable evidence of worker shortages, with three or more advertised vacancies for each unemployed worker….”

See the complete report at this link: The Conference Board


• U.S. Employment Situation – February 2014


Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 175,000 in February, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 6.7 percent. Employment increased in professional and business services and in wholesale trade but declined in information.

Both the number of unemployed persons (10.5 million) and the unemployment rate (6.7 percent) changed little in February. The jobless rate has shown little movement since December. Over the year, the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate were down by 1.6 million and 1.0 percentage point, respectively.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (6.4 percent), adult women (5.9 percent), teenagers (21.4 percent), whites (5.8 percent), blacks (12.0 percent), and Hispanics (8.1 percent) showed little or no change in February. The jobless rate for Asians was 6.0 percent (not seasonally adjusted), about unchanged over the year.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


06 March 2014

• U.S. Labor Productivity & Unit Labor Costs – Q4 2013


Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 1.8 percent annual rate during the fourth quarter of 2013.

The increase in productivity reflects increases of 3.4 percent in output and 1.6 percent in hours worked. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are seasonally adjusted annual rates.)

From the fourth quarter of 2012 to the fourth quarter of 2013, productivity increased 1.3 percent as output and hours worked rose 2.9 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. Annual average productivity increased 0.5 percent from 2012 to 2013.

Unit labor costs in nonfarm businesses decreased 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, while hourly compensation increased 1.7 percent. Unit labor costs fell 0.9 percent over the last four quarters.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 01 March 2014


In the week ending March 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 323,000, a decrease of 26,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 349,000.

The 4-week moving average was 336,500, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 338,500. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.2 percent for the week ending February 22, unchanged from the prior week's revised rate.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending February 15 were in Alaska (5.7), Pennsylvania (4.2), New Jersey (4.1), Rhode Island (4.0), Montana (3.7), California (3.6), Wisconsin (3.6), Connecticut (3.5), Illinois (3.5), and Puerto Rico (3.5).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending February 22 were in Georgia (+7,383), Massachusetts (+3,502), South Carolina (+3,320), Connecticut (+1,376), and Alabama (+1,259), while the largest decreases were in California (-4,973), Missouri (-3,642), New York (-3,572), Michigan (-2,322), and Oregon (-1,810).

Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits.

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS


03 March 2014

• U.S. Personal Income And Outlays - January 2014


Personal income increased $43.9 billion, or 0.3 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $45.2 billion, or 0.4 percent, in January.

Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $48.1 billion, or 0.4 percent. In December, personal income decreased $5.5 billion, or less than 0.1 percent,

DPI decreased $9.7 billion, or 0.1 percent, and PCE increased $6.5 billion, or 0.1 percent, based on revised estimates.

Real disposable personal income increased 0.3 percent in January, in contrast to a decrease of 0.2 percent in December. Real PCE increased 0.3 percent, in contrast to a decrease of 0.1 percent.

See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BEA