• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 28 December 2015

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Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average retail regular gasoline price increased less than one cent from the previous week to remain at $2.03 per gallon on December 28, 2015, down 27 cents [11.7%] from the same time last year. The West Coast price increased six cents to $2.63 per gallon, followed by the Midwest price, which increased three cents to $1.87 per gallon. The East Coast, Gulf Coast, and Rocky Mountain prices each decreased two cents, to $2.02 per gallon, $1.76 per gallon, and $1.97 per gallon, respectively.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price decreased five cents from last week to $2.24 per gallon, down 98 cents [30.4%] from the same time last year, and the lowest price since May 18, 2009. The Rocky Mountain price fell eight cents to $2.23 per gallon. The Midwest price decreased six cents to $2.16 per gallon. The Gulf Coast, West Coast, and East Coast prices each fell four cents, to $2.14 per gallon, $2.47 per gallon, and $2.28 per gallon, respectively.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 26 December 2015

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In the week ending December 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 287,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 267,000. The 4-week moving average was 277,000, an increase of 4,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 272,500. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.6 percent for the week ending December 19, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending December 12 were in Alaska (4.8), Puerto Rico (2.9), Montana (2.8), New Jersey (2.7), Pennsylvania (2.7), West Virginia (2.6), California (2.5), Illinois (2.4), Wyoming (2.4), Connecticut (2.3), and Nevada (2.3). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending December 19 were in Virginia (+2,047), Illinois (+1,954), Iowa (+1,128), Kentucky (+1,116), and Kansas (+1,076), while the largest decreases were in California (-2,903), Michigan (-2,586), Pennsylvania (-1,280), Texas (-1,152), and New York (-1,119). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment — November 2015

Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 322 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 54 areas, and unchanged in 11 areas. Twenty-six areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent, and six areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll

Employment: In November, 294 metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 82 had decreases, and 11 had no change.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Consumer Confidence — December 2015

“The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had decreased moderately in November, improved in December. The Index now stands at 96.5 (1985=100), up from 92.6 in November. The Present Situation Index increased from 110.9 last month to 115.3 in December, while the Expectations Index improved to 83.9 from 80.4 in November.

“’Consumer confidence improved in December, following a moderate decrease in November,’ said Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. ‘As 2015 draws to a close, consumers’ assessment of the current state of the economy remains positive, particularly their assessment of the job market. Looking ahead to 2016, consumers are expecting little change in both business conditions and the labor market. Expectations regarding their financial outlook are mixed, but the optimists continue to outweigh the pessimists.’”

Please visit this link to read the full report: TheConferenceBoard

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Minimum Wage Increases — 2016

“State and local legislatures continue to be busy with minimum wage legislation. As in past years, employers with multi-state operations must remain abreast of these changes. Many state laws provide for annual increases based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index and inflation.

”Except as noted below, higher state minimum wages are effective January 1, 2016. Because hospitality and similar employers also need to be aware of changes to the permissible tip credit that affect the minimum wage they must pay to customarily tipped employees, such increases also appear below.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report, by state: JacksonLewis

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 03 October 2015

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In the week ending December 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 267,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 271,000 to 272,000. The 4-week moving average was 272,500, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 270,500 to 270,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.6 percent for the week ending December 12, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 12 was 2,195,000, a decrease of 47,000 from the previous week's revised level. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending December 5 were in Alaska (4.2), Puerto Rico (3.0), West Virginia (2.8), Montana (2.6), New Jersey (2.6), Pennsylvania (2.6), California (2.4), Connecticut (2.3), Illinois (2.2), and Nevada (2.2). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending December 12 were in Michigan (+905), Rhode Island (+199), Ohio (+196), Arizona (+78), and Louisiana (+29), while the largest decreases were in New York (-10,297), Pennsylvania (-9,554), Wisconsin (-6,195), Georgia (-5,772), and Texas (-4,535). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 21 December 2015

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Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased one cent from the previous week to $2.03 per gallon as of December 21, 2015, 38 cents per gallon less than the same time last year. Prices decreased in all regions except the West Coast, where the price increased six cents to $2.57 per gallon. The Midwest price fell six cents to $1.85 per gallon. The East Coast price was down less than one cent to remain $2.04 per gallon. The Rocky Mountain and Gulf Coast prices both dropped less than one cent, to $1.99 per gallon and $1.78 per gallon, respectively.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average price of diesel fuel decreased five cents from last week to $2.28 per gallon, $1.00 per gallon lower than a year ago. Prices declined in all regions of the nation, with both the Midwest and Rocky Mountain prices seven cents less than last week, at $2.23 per gallon and $2.30 per gallon, respectively. The East and West Coast prices decreased five cents, to $2.32 per gallon and $2.51 per gallon, respectively. On the Gulf Coast, the price declined three cents to $2.18 per gallon.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

• U.S. Residential Home Sales — November 2015

Sales of new single-family houses in November 2015 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 490,000. This is 4.3 percent (±11.9%) above the revised October rate of 470,000 and is 9.1 percent (±20.9%) above the November 2014 estimate of 449,000.

The median sales price of new houses sold in November 2015 was $305,000; the average sales price was $374,900. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of November was 232,000. This represents a supply of 5.7 months at the current sales rate.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-Census

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Durable Goods Orders, Shipments, Inventories — November 2015

• Orders: New orders for manufactured durable goods in November increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $238.8 billion. This increase, up two consecutive months, followed a 2.9 percent October increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.1 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.5 percent.

• Shipments: Shipments of manufactured durable goods in November, up two of the last three months, increased $2.1 billion, or 0.9 percent, to $241.8 billion. This followed a 1.2 percent October decrease.

• Inventories: Inventories of manufactured durable goods in November, down six of the last seven months, decreased $1.1 billion, or 0.3 percent, to $395.7 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent October decrease. billion.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Personal Income and Outlays — November 2015

Personal income increased $44.4 billion, or 0.3 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $34.5 billion, or 0.3 percent, in November. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $40.1 billion, or 0.3 percent.

In October, personal income increased $66.9 billion, or 0.4 percent, DPI increased $54.0 billion, or 0.4 percent, and PCE increased $3.8 billion, or less than 0.1 percent, based on revised estimates.

Real DPI increased 0.2 percent in November, compared with an increase of 0.3 percent in October. Real PCE increased 0.3 percent, in contrast to a decrease of less than 0.1 percent.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Existing Home Sales — November 2015

“Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, fell 10.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.76 million in November (lowest since April 2014 at 4.75 million) from a downwardly revised 5.32 million in October.

”After last month's decline (largest since July 2010 at 22.5 percent), sales are now 3.8 percent below a year ago — the first year-over-year decrease since September 2014.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: NationalAssociationRealtors

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Gross Domestic Product — Q3 2015

Real gross domestic product -- the value of the goods and services produced by the nation's economy less the value of the goods and services used up in production, adjusted for price changes -- increased at an annual rate of 2.0 percent in the third quarter of 2015, according to the third estimate.

In the second quarter, real GDP increased 3.9 percent....

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Federal Contractors and the Minimum Wage — 01 January 2016

“In what could be construed as an “under the radar” move, in late 2015, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) quietly changed federal contractors’ contract threshold amounts for coverage under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 503)….

“Effective January 1, 2016, the applicable minimum wage rate to be paid to workers performing work on, or in connection, with federal contracts covered by Executive Order (EO) 13658, was increased from $10.10 per hour up to the new rate of $10.15 per hour….”

Please visit this link to read the full report and see additional changes: HR/BLR

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• New U.S. Law Delays Cadillac Tax, Enacts Workplace Changes — December 2015

“…Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 on Dec. 18, the same day that the U.S. Senate approved the measure—an omnibus spending and tax package that was amended to include the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act. The U.S. House of Representatives had approved both measures earlier in the week.

”The omniubs measure includes a two-year delay of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) ‘Cadillac’ excise tax and a one-year reauthorization of the E-Verify program for confirming employment eligibility, among other provisions affecting employers—from benefit caps to hiring credits.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: SHRM

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Personal Income, By State — Q3 2015

State personal income grew 1.3 percent on average in the third quarter of 2015, the same pace as in the second quarter.

Personal income grew in every state with third-quarter personal income growth rates ranging from 0.6 percent in Alaska to 2.2 percent in Nebraska and South Dakota.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 14 December 2015

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• Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased two cents from the previous week to $2.04 per gallon as of December 14, 2015, 52 cents per gallon less than the same time last year. Prices decreased in all regions except the Midwest, where the price increased one cent to $1.90 per gallon. The East and Gulf Coast prices both fell three cents, to $2.04 per gallon and $1.79 per gallon, respectively. The Rocky Mountain and West Coast prices both decreased two cents, to $2.00 per gallon and $2.51 per gallon, respectively.

• Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average price of diesel fuel decreased four cents from last week to $2.34 per gallon, $1.08 per gallon lower than the same time last year. Prices declined in all regions of the nation, with both the Midwest and West Coast prices decreasing five cents, to $2.29 per gallon and $2.55 per gallon, respectively. The East Coast price was $2.37 per gallon and the Rocky Mountain price was $2.38 per gallon, both four cents lower than last week. The Gulf Coast price was $2.21 per gallon, two cents less than last week.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

• U.S. Regional and State Employment and Unemployment — November 2015

• Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in November. Twenty-seven states had unemployment rate decreases from October, 11 states had increases, and 12 states and the District of Columbia had no change.

• Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 35 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 14 states, and was unchanged in Montana.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook — 2016-2017

The 2016–17 Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) was released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The OOH reflects BLS employment projections for the 2014–24 decade.

The OOH is one of the nation’s most widely used sources of career information. It provides details on hundreds of occupations and is used by career counselors, students, parents, teachers, jobseekers, career changers, education and training officials, and researchers.

The OOH is available online at www.bls.gov/ooh.

Please visit this link to read the news release: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Leading Indicators — November 2015

“The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.4 percent in November to 124.6 (2010 = 100), following a 0.6 percent increase in October, and no change in September.

“’The U.S. LEI registered another increase in November, with building permits, the interest rate spread, and stock prices driving the improvement,’ said Ataman Ozyildirim, Director of Business Cycles and Growth Research at The Conference Board. ‘Although the six-month growth rate of the LEI has moderated, the economic outlook for the final quarter of the year and into the new year remains positive.’”

Please visit this link to read the full report: TheConferenceBoard

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. County Employment & Wages — 2014 to 2015

From June 2014 to June 2015, employment increased in 319 of the 342 largest U.S. counties (counties with 75,000 or more jobs in 2014).

The U.S. average weekly wage increased 3.0 percent over the year, growing to $968 in the second quarter of 2015.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 12 December 2015

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In the week ending December 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 271,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 282,000. The 4-week moving average was 270,500, a decrease of 250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 270,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending December 5, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 5 was 2,238,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending November 28 were in Alaska (4.5), Puerto Rico (3.2), California (2.7), Montana (2.7), New Jersey (2.7), West Virginia (2.7), Pennsylvania (2.4), Connecticut (2.3), Nevada (2.3), and Wyoming (2.3). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending December 5 were in California (+22,487), New York (+13,113), Pennsylvania (+12,021), Texas (+10,782), and Georgia (+8,275), while the largest decreases were in Kentucky (-1,256), Arkansas (-533), Louisiana (-140), and Kansas (-90). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Industrial Production — November 2015

• Industrial production declined 0.6 percent in November after decreasing 0.4 percent in October. In November, manufacturing production was unchanged from October. At 106.5 percent of its 2012 average, total industrial production in November was 1.2 percent below its year-earlier level.

• Capacity utilization for the industrial sector declined 0.5 percentage point in November to 77.0 percent, a rate that is 3.1 percentage points below its long-run (1972–2014) average.

Please visit this link to read the full report: FederalReserve

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. New Residential Construction — November 2015

• Building Permits: Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,289,000. This is 11.0 percent (±1.6%) above the revised October rate of 1,161,000 and is 19.5 percent (±2.0%) above the November 2014 estimate of 1,079,000.

Single-family authorizations in November were at a rate of 723,000; this is 1.1 percent (±0.9%) above the revised October figure of 715,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 539,000 in November.

• Housing Starts: Privately-owned housing starts in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,173,000. This is 10.5 percent (±8.6%) above the revised October estimate of 1,062,000 and is 16.5 percent (±10.3%) above the November 2014 rate of 1,007,000.

Single-family housing starts in November were at a rate of 768,000; this is 7.6 percent (±9.6%) above the revised October figure of 714,000. The November rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 398,000.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Real Earnings – November 2015

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• For the Month: Real average hourly earnings for all employees increased 0.1 percent from October to November, seasonally adjusted. This result stems from a 0.2- percent increase in average hourly earnings, combined with no change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Real average weekly earnings decreased 0.2 percent over the month due to the increase in real average hourly earnings, combined with a 0.3-percent decrease in the average workweek. • For the Year: Real average hourly earnings increased 1.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, from November 2014 to November 2015. The increase in real average hourly earnings, combined with a 0.3-percent decrease in the average workweek, resulted in a 1.6-percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period. Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS *Note: Real earnings show the effect of inflation on your pay. If your salary went up by 2.1% over the year while the cost-of-living (CPI-U) rose 2.3%, then the “real” value of your salary fell by 0.2% [differences in some of the data are due to rounding and seasonal adjustment]. The figures reported here are earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls, seasonally adjusted. NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Consumer Price Index — November 2015

• CPI-U: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 237.336 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index declined 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

• CPI-W: The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 231.721 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index declined 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

• C-CPI-U: The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index declined 0.3 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.

The Consumer Price Index for December 2015 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. (EST).

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 07 December 2015

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Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased one cent from the previous week to $2.05 per gallon as of December 7, 2015, 63 cents per gallon less than the same time last year [down 23.5%]. Prices decreased in all regions except the Midwest, where the price increased one cent to $1.89 per gallon. The Rocky Mountain price fell four cents to $2.01 per gallon. Both the East Coast and West Coast prices dropped more than one cent, to $2.07 per gallon and $2.54 per gallon, respectively. The Gulf Coast price was $1.82 per gallon, declining less than one cent from last week.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average price of diesel fuel decreased four cents from last week to $2.38 per gallon, $1.16 per gallon lower than the same time last year [down 32.8%]. Prices declined in all regions, with the largest decrease occurring in the Midwest, where the price dropped six cents to $2.35 per gallon. The East Coast and Rocky Mountain prices both decreased four cents, to $2.41 per gallon in each region. The Gulf Coast and West Coast prices both fell two cents, to $2.23 per gallon and $2.60 per gallon, respectively.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

• U.S. Consumer Sentiment — December 2015

“While the preliminary December reading was largely unchanged from last month, consumers evaluated current economic conditions more favorably and expected future prospects less favorably.

"In a repeat of last month's findings, all of the early December gain was recorded among households with incomes in the bottom two-thirds (+2.7%), while the Sentiment Index among consumers with incomes in the top third declined (-4.4%).

"Importantly, the survey recorded persistent strength in personal finances and buying plans, while the largest loss was in how consumers judged prospects for the national economy during the year ahead.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: UMichigan

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Manufacturing and Trade Inventories And Sales— October 2015

Sales. The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for October, adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,317.7 billion, down 0.2 percent (±0.2%) from September 2015 and was down 2.7 percent (±0.5%) from October 2014.

Inventories. Manufacturers’ and trade inventories, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $1,814.5 billion, virtually unchanged (±0.2%) from September 2015, but were up 2.0 percent (±0.5%) from October 2014.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The total business inventories/sales ratio based on seasonally adjusted data at the end of October was 1.38. The October 2014 ratio was 1.31.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Retail and Food Services Sales — November 2015

U.S. retail and food services sales for November, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $448.1 billion, an increase of 0.2 percent (±0.5%) from the previous month, and 1.4 percent (±0.7%) above November 2014.

Total sales for the September 2015 through November 2015 period were up 1.7 percent (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago. The September 2015 to October 2015 percent change was unrevised from +0.1 percent (±0.2%).

Retail trade sales were up 0.2 percent (±0.5%) from October 2015, and up 0.7 percent (±0.7%) above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 7.3 percent (±1.2%) from November 2014 and food services and drinking places were up 6.5 percent (±3.7%) from last year.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Producer Price Index — November 2015

The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.3 percent in November. Final demand prices decreased 0.4 percent in October and 0.5 percent in September.

Prices for final demand services advanced 0.5 percent and the index for final demand goods declined 0.1 percent.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 05 December 2015

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In the week ending December 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 282,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 269,000. The 4-week moving average was 270,750, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 269,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending November 28, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending November 28 was 2,243,000, an increase of 82,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 2,161,000. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending November 21 were in Alaska (4.0), Puerto Rico (3.0), New Jersey (2.4), Pennsylvania (2.2), Montana (2.1), Nevada (2.1), West Virginia (2.1), Connecticut (2.0), the Virgin Islands (2.0), Massachusetts (1.9), and Wyoming (1.9). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending November 28 were in Wisconsin (+4,677), Ohio (+2,212), Kentucky (+1,953), Kansas (+638), and Arkansas (+612), while the largest decreases were in California (-20,308), Texas (-7,225), New York (-3,042), Florida (-2,898), and Oregon (-2,432). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Wholesale Trade— October 2015

• Sales. October 2015 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price changes, were $448.0 billion, virtually unchanged (+/-0.5%) from the revised September level, but were down 3.7 percent (+/-1.4%) from the October 2014 level.

• Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $585.9 billion at the end of October, down 0.1 percent (+/-0.5%) from the revised September level, but were up 3.6 percent (+/-1.6%) from the October 2014 level.

• Inventories/Sales Ratio. The October inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.31. The October 2014 ratio was 1.22.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation — Q3 2015

• Employer costs for employee compensation for civilian workers averaged $33.37 per hour worked in September 2015. Wages and salaries averaged $22.88 per hour worked and accounted for 68.6 percent of these costs, while benefits averaged $10.48 and accounted for the remaining 31.4 percent.

• Total employer compensation costs for private industry workers averaged $31.53 per hour worked in September 2015.

• State and local government employers spent an average of $44.66 per hour worked for employee compensation in September 2015. Wages and salaries averaged $28.45 per hour and accounted for 63.7 percent of compensation costs, while benefits averaged $16.21 per hour worked and accounted for the remaining 36.3 percent.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Work Experience of the Population — 2014

• A total of 159.1 million persons worked at some point during 2014. The proportion of the civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over who worked at some time during 2014 was 63.6 percent, little different from 63.5 percent in 2013.

• The number of persons who experienced some unemployment during 2014 was 17.7 million, down by 3.2 million from 2013.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Salary Budget Forecast — 2016

“According to Mercer’s 2015/2016 US Compensation Planning Survey, the average salary increase budget is expected to be 2.9% in 2016, up slightly from the average increase budget of 2.8% in 2015.

"However, salary increases for top-performing employees—about 7% of the workforce— will be almost twice that of average performers as companies continue to differentiate salary increases based on performance.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: HR.BLR.com

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Job Openings, Hires, Turnover, Quits — October 2015

• There were 5.604 million job openings [all data NSA] on the last business day of June, up 9.9% from the same month a year ago; the job openings rate was 3.8%.

• Hires were 5.438 million, up 0.5% from the same month in 2014; the hires rate was 3.8%.

• Total separations were 5.008 million down 0.6% in the last 12 months. This yielded a “turnover” rate of 3.5% for the month…an annual equivalent of 42.0%.

• Within total separations, the 2.873 million quits [up 2.0%] yielded a quit rate of 2.0% percent and 1.757 million layoffs and discharges [down 4.8%] yielded a rate of 1.2%.

[1] The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings. [2] The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment. [3] The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment; includes quits. [4] The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment; included in "total separations."

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Employment Projections — to 2024

Employment is projected to grow 6.5 percent from 2014 to 2024, adding 9.8 million jobs to the U.S. economy. Healthcare occupations are expected to have the fastest growth and the most new jobs over the decade.

The labor force participation rate is projected to be 60.9 percent in 2024.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Consumer Credit – October 2015

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In October, consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5-1/2 percent. Revolving credit increased at an annual rate of 1/4 percent, while nonrevolving credit increased at an annual rate of 7-1/2 percent. See the complete report at this link: Federal Reserve *Note: Nonrevolving credit can be used only once, such as with a car loan or student loan. Revolving credit can be used multiple times, such as with a credit card.

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• U.S. Labor Market Conditions Index — November 2015

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Labor market conditions are improving but at a slower rate; the Index fell to 0.5 in November from a revised 2.2 in the prior month. In November 2014 the Index stood at 7.2. Note: Supposedly, values above zero indicate an improving labor market and values below zero indicate a deteriorating labor market. Click on the chart to enlarge. Please visit this link to read the full report: Federal Reserve Fed: “The LMCI is derived from a dynamic factor model that extracts the primary common variation from 19, seasonally-adjusted, labor market indicators. Users can read about the included indicators at: Federal Reserve Information on the LMCI. Users of the LMCI should take note that the entire history of the LMCI may revise each month….” The Wall Street Journal says, “The labor market conditions index is by definition an index. Higher index numbers are positives and vice versa. The report focuses on the change in the index—how strong a plus change or a negative change. Plus indicates improving labor market conditions. But there is extreme detail with 19 components. Subcomponent detail can be important, depending on how many components are positive versus those that are negative or sluggish. A key feature of this report is that it pulls together many labor market indicators into one place.” NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment — October 2015

Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 337 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 38 areas, and unchanged in 12 areas. Twenty-four areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent, and three areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 300 metropolitan areas, decreased in 78 areas, and was unchanged in 9 areas.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Business Economists Forecast Employment, Unemployment — 2016

“Panelists foresee nonfarm payroll growth above 200,000 jobs per month through the end of 2016. But following weak September payroll data, the outlook for 2015 has been revised downward to 202,000 jobs per month. The 2016 forecast for job creation is unchanged from the October survey, just north of 210,000.

”Unemployment rate expectations are slightly more optimistic compared with those in the October survey; the unemployment rate is expected to decline to 4.7% by the fourth quarter of 2016 (compared to 4.8% in the October survey) and average 4.8% next year (compared to 4.9%).…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: National Association for Business Economics

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Spending On Health Care Accounted For 17.5 Percent Of The Nation’s Economic Output — 2014

“Health spending in the United States last year topped $3 trillion — an average of $9,500 a person — as five years of exceptionally slow growth gave way to the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid and private insurance coverage, and as prescription drug prices resumed their sharp climbs, the government said Wednesday.

”Health spending grew faster than the economy in 2014, and the federal share of health spending grew even faster, as major provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: NewYorkTimes

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Employment Situation — November 2015

In November, the unemployment rate held at 5.0 percent, and the number of unemployed persons, at 7.9 million, was essentially unchanged. Over the past 12 months, the unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons are down by 0.8 percentage point and 1.1 million, respectively.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (4.7 percent), adult women (4.6 percent), teenagers (15.7 percent), whites (4.3 percent), blacks (9.4 percent), Asians (3.9 percent), and Hispanics (6.4 percent) showed little or no change in November.

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 211,000 in November, about in line with the average monthly gain of 237,000 over the prior 12 months. In November, job growth occurred in construction, professional and technical services, and health care. Employment in mining and information declined over the month.

The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged down by 0.1 hour to 34.5 hours in November. Both the manufacturing workweek and factory overtime were unchanged in November, at 40.7 hours and 3.2 hours, respectively.

Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 4 cents to $25.25, following a 9-cent gain in October. Over the year, average hourly earnings have risen by 2.3 percent. In November, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees, at $21.19, changed little.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Balance of Trade — October 2015

The goods and services deficit was $43.9 billion in October, up $1.4 billion from $42.5 billion in September, revised. October exports were $184.1 billion, $2.7 billion less than September exports. October imports were $228.0 billion, $1.3 billion less than September imports.

The October increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $2.1 billion to $63.1 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.6 billion to $19.2 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $22.2 billion, or 5.3 percent, from the same period in 2014. Exports decreased $84.7 billion or 4.3 percent. Imports decreased $62.5 billion or 2.6 percent.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories and Orders — October 2015

• New orders for manufactured goods in October, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $6.8 billion or 1.5 percent to $473.9 billio. This followed a 0.8 percent September decrease.

• Shipments, down six of the last seven months, decreased $2.5 billion or 0.5 percent to $475.2 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent September decrease.

• Inventories, down four consecutive months, decreased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $643.6 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent September decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from September.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 28 November 2015

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In the week ending November 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 269,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 260,000. The 4-week moving average was 269,250, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 271,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.6 percent for the week ending November 21, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending November 21 was 2,161,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending November 14 were in Alaska (4.0), Puerto Rico (3.1), New Jersey (2.5), California (2.2), Pennsylvania (2.2), West Virginia (2.2), Connecticut (2.1), Montana (2.1), the Virgin Islands (2.1), Nevada (2.0), and Wyoming (2.0). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending November 21 were in California (+7,941), Illinois (+3,617), Minnesota (+2,612), Iowa (+2,064), and Wisconsin (+1,994), while the largest decreases were in Louisiana (-792), Rhode Island (-207), Delaware (-73), Nevada (-48), and Puerto Rico (-23). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 30 November 2015

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Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average retail regular gasoline price fell four cents from the prior week to $2.06 per gallon on November 30, 2015, down 72 cents from the same time last year. The Midwest price decreased six cents to $1.88 per gallon, while the Rocky Mountain price declined four cents to $2.05 per gallon. The Gulf Coast and West Coast prices were both down three cents, to $1.82 per gallon and $2.55 per gallon, respectively. The East Coast price decreased two cents to $2.09 per gallon.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price decreased two cents from the previous week to $2.42 per gallon, down $1.18 from the same time last year. The West Coast, Midwest, and Gulf Coast prices were each down three cents, to $2.62 per gallon, $2.41 per gallon, and $2.25 per gallon, respectively. The Rocky Mountain price declined two cents to $2.45 per gallon, and the East Coast price decreased one cent to $2.46 per gallon.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

• U.S. Productivity Rises 2.2%...Unit Labor Costs Rise 1.8% — Q3 2015

Productivity increased 2.2 percent in the nonfarm business sector in the third quarter of 2015; unit labor costs increased 1.8 percent (seasonally adjusted annual rates).

In manufacturing, productivity increased 5.1 percent and unit labor costs increased 2.3 percent.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Construction Spending — October 2015

Construction spending during October 2015 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,107.4 billion, 1.0 percent (±1.8%) above the revised September estimate of $1,096.6 billion. The October figure is 13.0 percent (±2.5%) above the October 2014 estimate of $979.6 billion.

During the first 10 months of this year, construction spending amounted to $888.1 billion, 10.7 percent (±1.3%) above the $802.3 billion for the same period in 2014.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Manufacturing Failed to Expand — November 2015

“Manufacturing contracted in November as the PMI® registered 48.6 percent, a decrease of 1.5 percentage points from the October reading of 50.1 percent, indicating contraction in manufacturing for the first time since November 2012 when the PMI® registered 48.9 percent.

”A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: InstituteForSupplyManagement

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Employers Want Business Grads — 2016

“By broad category, the highest percentage of employers responding to NACE's Job Outlook 2016 survey reported that they will hire business graduates. Likewise, graduates in individual business majors are also in high demand among respondents, who represent organizations with a focused effort to recruit new college graduates.

”Nearly 70 percent of responding employers plan on hiring graduates from the business disciplines, while 66.7 percent anticipate hiring those in engineering and 57.8 percent expect to hire computer and information sciences graduates.

”Meanwhile, three of the top four majors in demand—accounting (54.4 percent), finance (50.6 percent), and business administration/management (47.8 percent)—are business majors. Computer science (53.9 percent) and mechanical engineering (47.8 percent) majors also landed in the top five….”

Please visit this link to read the full report: National Association of Colleges and Employers

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Wives’ Earnings Make Gains Relative to Husbands’— 2000 to 2015

Between 2000 and 2015, the share of married couples where the wife earned at least $30,000 more than the husband increased from 6 to 9 percent…

Married couples where the husband earned at least $30,000 more than the wife decreased from 38 to 35 percent. Conversely, husbands and wives whose earnings were within $4,999 of each other grew slightly from 24 percent in 2000 to 25 percent in 2015.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Women's Earnings Compared To Men's Earnings — 2014

In 2014, women who were full-time wage and salary workers had median usual weekly earnings of $719. Women’s median earnings were 83 percent of those of male full-time wage and salary workers ($871).

Median weekly earnings for women were highest between the ages of 35 and 64. In 2014, there was little or no difference in the earnings of 35- to 44-year-olds ($781), 45- to 54-year-olds ($780), and 55- to 64-year-olds ($780). For men, earnings peaked between the ages of 45 and 64, with 45- to 54-year-olds ($1,011) and 55- to 64-year-olds ($1,021) having similar earnings. Young women and men ages 16 to 24 had the lowest earnings ($451 and $493, respectively).

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOL-BLS

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Congressional Waste-Watching — 2015

“To the annals of government projects that congressional budget hawks find questionable, wasteful and even droll add 100 more, highlighted in a new report from Sen. James Lankford.

“The Oklahoma Republican, picking up the waste-cutting legacy of his predecessor, Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), on Monday released a list of 100 ‘Federal Fumbles’ he describes as ‘100 Ways the Government Dropped the Ball…

“The fumbles also take a whack at a $250 million Defense Department program to train and provide equipment to just 60 Syrian rebels (the goal, according to the report, was $500 million to train and equip at least 5,400 rebels fighting the Islamic State); $30,000 to secure the habitat of the American Burying Beetle and $8 million spent by a Veterans Affairs hospital in Little Rock, Ark., to tear down 1,400 inactive solar panels to make way for a new parking garage…..”

Please visit this link to read the full report: WashingtonPost

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures, by State — 1997-2014

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis has released its first set of official statistics on personal consumption expenditures (PCE) by state for 1997-2014. PCE by state – the measure of goods and services purchased by or on behalf of households by state of residence – provides insight into household spending patterns across states and can be used together with other regional data to gain a better understanding of regional economies.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• Expenditures by Foreign Direct Investors for New Investment in the United States — 2014

Expenditures by foreign direct investors for new investment—that is, to acquire, establish, or expand U.S. businesses—totaled $241.3 billion in 2014.

Expenditures for acquisitions were $224.7 billion. Expenditures to establish new U.S. businesses totaled $13.8 billion, and expenditures to expand existing foreign-owned U.S. businesses totaled $2.8 billion. .

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 23 November 2015

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Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average regular gasoline retail price decreased eight cents from the previous week to $2.09 per gallon as of November 23, 2015, 73 cents lower than at the same time last year, and the lowest price for Thanksgiving week since 2008. The Midwest price fell 15 cents to $1.94 per gallon, making it the second region, after the Gulf Coast, with a sub-$2 per gallon average retail gasoline price. The Gulf Coast price declined seven cents to $1.85 per gallon. The West Coast price decreased six cents to $2.58 per gallon. The East Coast price fell five cents to $2.11 per gallon, and the Rocky Mountain price decreased four cents to $2.09 per gallon.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price decreased four cents from the prior week to $2.45 per gallon, down $1.18 per gallon from the same time last year. The Midwest price decreased five cents to $2.44 per gallon, while the West Coast price declined four cents to $2.65 per gallon. The East Coast price decreased three cents to $2.47 per gallon, and the Gulf Coast price was down two cents to $2.28 per gallon. The Rocky Mountain price decreased one cent to $2.47 per gallon.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

• U.S. New Home Sales — October 2015

Sales of new single-family houses in October 2015 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 495,000, according to estimates. This is 10.7 percent (±17.7%) above the revised September rate of 447,000 and is 4.9 percent (±17.6%) above the October 2014 estimate of 472,000.

The median sales price of new houses sold in October 2015 was $281,500; the average sales price was $366,000.

The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of October was 226,000. This represents a supply of 5.5 months at the current sales rate.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Personal Income, Expenditures, and Compensation — October 2015

Personal income increased $68.1 billion, or 0.4 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $56.8 billion, or 0.4 percent, in October.

Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $15.2 billion, or 0.1 percent. In September, personal income increased $27.4 billion, or 0.2 percent, DPI increased $27.0 billion, or 0.2 percent, and PCE increased $9.5 billion, or 0.1 percent, based on revised estimates.

Real DPI increased 0.4 percent in October, compared with an increase of 0.3 percent in September. Real PCE increased 0.1 percent in October, the same increase as in September.

Compensation: Wages and salaries increased $45.0 billion in October, compared with an increase of $2.5 billion in September. Private wages and salaries increased $43.0 billion, compared with an increase of $1.5 billion. Government wages and salaries increased $2.0 billion, compared with an increase of $1.0 billion.

Supplements to wages and salaries increased $6.5 billion in October, compared with an increase of $3.4 billion in September.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOC-BEA

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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