Statistics for Managers: November 2015

30 November 2015

• 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.

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25 November 2015

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

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

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• 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

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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

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• U.S. Durable Goods Orders — October 2015

New orders for manufactured durable goods in October increased $6.9 billion or 3.0 percent to $239.0 billions. This increase, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, followed a 0.8 percent September decrease.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in October, down two of the last three months, decreased $2.5 billion, or 1.0 percent, to $240.1 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent September increase.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in October, down five of the last six months, decreased $0.7 billion, or 0.2 percent, to $397.4 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent September decrease.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 21 November 2015

In the week ending November 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 260,000, a decrease of 12,000 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 271,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 270,750 to 271,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.6 percent for the week ending November 14, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending November 14 was 2,207,000, an increase of 34,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending November 7 were in Alaska (3.6), Puerto Rico (3.1), New Jersey (2.4), the Virgin Islands (2.4), Pennsylvania (2.1), California (2.0), Connecticut (2.0), Nevada (2.0), West Virginia (2.0), and Illinois (1.8).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending November 14 were in Louisiana (+1,389), Idaho (+401), Minnesota (+107), North Dakota (+71), and Rhode Island (+37), while the largest decreases were in Texas (-3,120), Kansas (-2,034), New Jersey (-2,013), California (-1,824), and Tennessee (-1,710).

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

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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24 November 2015

• U.S. Real 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 2.1 percent in the third quarter of 2015, according to the "second" estimate.

In the second quarter, real GDP increased 3.9 percent.

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

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• U.S. Minimum Wage Increases Scheduled, by State — 2016

“Minimum wage increases will affect numerous states across the country in January 2016.

”Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but the FLSA does not supersede any state or local laws that are more favorable to employees. Therefore, if a state has a minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum, employers subject to the state minimum wage law are obligated to pay the higher rate to employees working in that state…

”The map below shows the states that are increasing their minimum wages, including the new rate and amount of the increase….”

Please visit this link to read the full report: BLR

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23 November 2015

• U.S. Existing Home Sales — October 2015

"Single-family home sales fell 3.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.75 million in October from 4.93 million in September, but are still 4.6 percent above the 4.54 million pace a year ago. The median existing single-family home price was $221,200 in October, up 6.3 percent from October 2014.

"Existing condominium and co-op sales declined 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 610,000 units in October from 620,000 in September, and are now down 1.6 percent from October 2014 (620,000 units). The median existing condo price was $207,100 in October, which is 1.6 percent above a year ago...."

Please visit this link to read the full report: NationalAssociationRealtors

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• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Performance and Accountability Report — Fiscal Year 2015

Benefits for Victims of Discrimination: EEOC secured more than $525 million for victims of discrimination in the workplace. This includes:

• $356.6 million in relief for those who work in the private sector—secured through the agency’s mediation, conciliation, and other administrative enforcement efforts. EEOC achieved record success in its conciliation of private sector charges, with 44 percent of conciliations successfully resolved and 64 percent of systemic investigations resulting in voluntary resolutions.

• $65.3 million in relief for charging parties—obtained through litigation. EEOC also obtained substantial targeted equitable relief in both its administrative enforcement and its litigation to remedy violations of equal employment opportunity laws. The agency put new practices in place to prevent future discriminatory conduct in the workplace.

• $105.7 million in relief for federal employees and applicants through our federal sector process

Please visit this link to read the full report: EEOC.gov

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• U.S. Salary Increase Budgets — 2015/2016

“Although the economy is improving and the job market is more robust, salary increase budgets for US companies continue to show little signs of growth. 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 – 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: Mercer.com

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20 November 2015

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

Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in October. Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases from September, 3 states had increases, and 15 states had no change.

Forty-three states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier, three states had increases, and four states had no change.

In October 2015, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 40 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 9 states, and was unchanged in Delaware.

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

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• Connecticut Employment Situation — October 2015

October’s preliminary nonfarm job estimate developed from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) business survey shows Connecticut jobs declined by 2,200 (-0.13%) last month to a level of 1,694,100, seasonally adjusted. This is the second monthly job loss in a row and the fourth monthly state nonfarm jobs decline out of the first ten months of this year. The state has still increased nonfarm employment by 24,100 jobs (1.44%, 2,410 jobs per month) since October 2014.

The September 2015 estimated nonfarm employment loss of 7,600 (-0.45%) positions for the state was revised higher to a 4,800 (-0.28%) job decline - a substantial 2,800 upward employment revision for the prior month.

Please visit this link to read the full report: CTDOL

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19 November 2015

• U.S. Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work — 2014

The overall incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injury and illness cases requiring days away from work to recuperate was 107.1 cases per 10,000 full-time workers in 2014, down from the 2013 rate of 109.4.

In 2014, there were 1,157,410 days-away-from-work cases in private industry, state government, and local government--essentially unchanged from the number of cases reported in 2013.

The median days away from work to recuperate--a key measure of severity of injuries and illnesses--was 9 days in 2014, 1 day more than reported in 2013.

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

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• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 16 November 2015

Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased six cents from the previous week to $2.18 per gallon on November 16, 2015, down 72 cents from the same time last year. The Midwest price fell 13 cents to $2.09 per gallon. The Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain prices each decreased five cents, to $1.93 per gallon and $2.14 per gallon, respectively. The West Coast price was down three cents to $2.64 per gallon, and the East Coast price decreased less than a penny to remain $2.16 per gallon.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price decreased two cents from last week to $2.48 per gallon, down $1.18 per gallon from the same time last year. The Midwest price fell three cents to $2.49 per gallon, followed by the West Coast price, which was down two cents to $2.70 per gallon. The Gulf Coast and East Coast prices both decreased one cent, to $2.30 per gallon and $2.50 per gallon, respectively. The Rocky Mountain price did not change, remaining $2.49 per gallon.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 14 November 2015

In the week ending November 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 271,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 276,000.

The 4-week moving average was 270,750, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 267,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.6 percent for the week ending November 7, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending November 7 was 2,175,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending October 31 were in Alaska (3.4), Puerto Rico (3.0), the Virgin Islands (2.7), New Jersey (2.3), California (2.1), Pennsylvania (2.1), Connecticut (2.0), Nevada (2.0), West Virginia (2.0), and Illinois (1.8).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending November 7 were in New Jersey (+2,963), Pennsylvania (+2,840), Georgia (+2,509), Texas (+2,455), and New York (+2,237), while the largest decreases were in Louisiana (- 632), Michigan (-520), California (-336), Arkansas (-297), and Kentucky (-193).

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

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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

18 November 2015

• U.S. Housing Starts, Building Permits — October 2015

BUILDING PERMITS: Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,150,000. This is 4.1 percent (±1.5%) above the revised September rate of 1,105,000 and is 2.7 percent (±2.2%) above the October 2014 estimate of 1,120,000.

Single-family authorizations in October were at a rate of 711,000; this is 2.4 percent (±1.5%) above the revised September figure of 694,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 405,000 in October.

HOUSING STARTS: Privately-owned housing starts in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,060,000. This is 11.0 percent (±13.5%) below the revised September estimate of 1,191,000 and is 1.8 percent (±11.2%) below the October 2014 rate of 1,079,000.

Single-family housing starts in October were at a rate of 722,000; this is 2.4 percent (±9

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

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17 November 2015

• U.S. Real Earnings – October 2015

For the Month: Real average hourly earnings for all employees increased 0.2 percent from September to October, seasonally adjusted. This result stems from 0.4- percent increase in average hourly earnings, combined with a 0.2-percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Real average weekly earnings increased 0.2 percent over the month due to the increase in real average hourly earnings, combined with no change in the average workweek.

For the Year: Real average hourly earnings increased 2.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, from October 2014 to October 2015. The increase in real average hourly earnings, combined with 0.3-percent decrease in the average workweek, resulted in a 2.1-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.

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• U.S. Consumer Price Index [NSA] — October 2015

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 237.838 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index was essentially unchanged prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 232.373 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index declined 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) decreased 0.2 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index declined 0.1 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 November 2015 is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, December 15, at 8:30 a.m. (EST).

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

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• U.S. Business Economists Predict Wages…Employment — Q3 2015

“Compared to the March and July 2015 survey results, there is a shift away from rising wages and salaries; 33% of respondents report increases in the third quarter, compared to 42% in the second quarter and 45% in the first quarter.

"• Expectations for wage increases over the next three months are lower in the current survey, indeed at their lowest level since October 2014. Forty-four percent of respondents anticipate increases in wages and salaries resulting in an NRI of 40, compared to an NRI of 47 in the previous survey…

"• The share of respondents expecting their firms to increase employment in the next three months— 29%—is the smallest this year.…”

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

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16 November 2015

• U.S. Master’s Degree Salaries Reported — Class of 2015

"When it comes to the top average salaries among Class of 2015 master's degree disciplines, the technical disciplines top the list, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

"It is early in the salary-reporting cycle and data are limited, but NACE's Fall 2015 Salary Survey shows that those studying the computer and information sciences fields command the highest average starting salary among master's degree graduates—$79,614. They are followed by engineering graduates, who received an average starting salary of $70,844.

"The story is a little different at the doctorate level, where graduates studying in the business, management, and marketing discipline fared best...."

Please visit this link to read the full report…see the survey data: NACE

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13 November 2015

• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 10 November 2015

Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average regular retail gasoline price increased one cent from the previous week to $2.24 per gallon on November 9, down 71 cents per gallon from the same time last year. The Midwest and Rocky Mountain prices each decreased, five cents and six cents to $2.22 per gallon, and $2.18 per gallon, respectively. The Gulf Coast price increased six cents to $1.97 per gallon. The East Coast price rose five cents to $2.16 per gallon, and the West Coast price was up two cents to $2.67 per gallon.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price increased two cents from a week ago to $2.50 per gallon, down $1.18 per gallon from the same time last year. The Rocky Mountain price was the only decrease, down one cent to $2.49 per gallon. The Gulf Coast price increased three cents to $2.32 per gallon. The West Coast and East Coast prices each increased two cents to $2.71 per gallon, and $2.51 per gallon, respectively. The Midwest price was up one cent to $2.53 per gallon.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

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• U.S. Business Sales and Inventories — September 2015

Sales. The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for September, adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,320.3 billion, virtually unchanged (±0.2%) from August 2015, but was down 2.8 percent (±0.4%) from September 2014.

Inventories. Manufacturers’ and trade inventories, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $1,817.5 billion, up 0.3 percent (±0.1%) from August 2015 and were up 2.5 percent (±0.5%) from September 2014.

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

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

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• U.S. Retail Sales — October 2015

U.S. retail and food services sales for October, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $447.3 billion, an increase of 0.1 percent (±0.5%) from the previous month, and 1.7 percent (±0.7%) above October 2014.

Total sales for the August 2015 through October 2015 period were up 2.0 percent (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago. The August 2015 to September 2015 percent change was revised from +0.1 percent (±0.5%)* to virtually unchanged (±0.2%).

Retail trade sales were virtually unchanged (±0.5%) from September 2015, and up 1.2 percent (±0.7%) above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 7.1 percent from October 2014 (±1.4%) and motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 6.2 percent (±2.8%) from last year.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

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• U.S. Producer Price Index — October 2015

The Producer Price Index for final demand decreased 0.4 percent in October. Final demand prices dropped 0.5 percent in September and were unchanged in August.

In October, prices for final demand services fell 0.3 percent and final demand goods declined 0.4 percent.

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

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

12 November 2015

• U.S. Job Openings & Labor Turnover — September 2015

The number of job openings was little changed at 5.5 million on the last business day of September. Hires and separations were little changed at 5.0 million and 4.8 million, respectively.

Within separations, the quits rate was 1.9 percent for the sixth consecutive month, and the layoffs and discharges rate remained unchanged at 1.2 percent.

This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the nonfarm sector by industry and by four geographic regions.

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

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 07 November 2015

In the week ending November 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 276,000, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised level.

The 4-week moving average was 267,750, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 262,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.6 percent for the week ending October 31, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending October 31 was 2,174,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending October 24 were in Puerto Rico (3.3), Alaska (3.1), the Virgin Islands (2.9), New Jersey (2.3), California (2.1), Connecticut (2.0), Nevada (2.0), Pennsylvania (2.0), West Virginia (1.9), and Illinois (1.8).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending October 31 were in Michigan (+3,942), California (+2,150), Illinois (+1,796), Wisconsin (+1,544), and Ohio (+1,198), while the largest decreases were in New York (-777), South Carolina (-571), Idaho (-372), Georgia (-365), and Tennessee (-316).

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

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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

10 November 2015

• U.S. Wholesale Trade: Sales and Inventories — September 2015

Sales. September 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, up 0.5 percent (+/-0.7%)* from the revised August level, but were down 3.9 percent (+/-1.2%) from the September 2014 level.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers...were $588.1 billion at the end of September, up 0.5 percent (+/-0.4%) from the revised August level and were up 4.7 percent (+/-1.6%) from the September 2014 level.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The September inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.31. The September 2014 ratio was 1.20.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

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

Labor market conditions are improving with the Index rising to plus 1.6 in October vs a revised 1.3 in September. In October 2014 the Index stood at 6.0.

Note: Supposedly, values above zero indicate an improving labor market and values below zero indicate a deteriorating labor market.

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.”

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06 November 2015

• U.S. Employment Situation — October 2015

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 271,000 in October, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 5.0 percent.

• Both the unemployment rate (5.0 percent) and the number of unemployed persons (7.9 million) were essentially unchanged in October. Over the past 12 months, the unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons were down by 0.7 percentage point and 1.1 million, respectively.

• Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (4.7 percent), adult women (4.5 percent), teenagers (15.9 percent), whites (4.4 percent), blacks (9.2 percent), Asians (3.5 percent), and Hispanics (6.3 percent) showed little or no change in October.

• Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 271,000 in October. Over the prior 12 months, employment growth had averaged 230,000 per month. In October, job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, retail trade, food services and drinking places, and construction.

• The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls remained at 34.5 hours in October. The manufacturing workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 40.7 hours, and factory overtime edged up by 0.1 hour to 3.3 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged up by 0.1 hour to 33.7 hours.

• Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 9 cents to $25.20, following little change in September (+1 cent). Hourly earnings have risen by 2.5 percent over the year. Average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 9 cents to $21.18 in October.

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

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

05 November 2015

• U.S. Productivity, Unit Labor Costs Rise — Q3 2015

• Productivity increased 1.6 percent in the nonfarm business sector in the third quarter of 2015; unit labor costs increased 1.4 percent (seasonally adjusted annual rates).

• In manufacturing, productivity increased 4.9 percent and unit labor costs increased 0.9 percent.

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

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

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 31 October 2015

In the week ending October 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 276,000, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 260,000.

The 4-week moving average was 262,750, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 259,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.6 percent for the week ending October 24, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending October 24 was 2,163,000, an increase of 17,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending October 17 were in Puerto Rico (3.2), the Virgin Islands (3.2), Alaska (3.0), New Jersey (2.3), California (2.1), Connecticut (2.0), Nevada (2.0), Pennsylvania (2.0), West Virginia (1.9), and Illinois (1.7).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending October 24 were in California (+2,269), New York (+1,853), Pennsylvania (+1,351), New Jersey (+1,323), and Illinois (+1,243), while the largest decreases were in Michigan (- 2,600), South Carolina (-1,181), Kentucky (-214), Missouri (-104), and Delaware (-88).

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

See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS

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

04 November 2015

• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 02 November 2015

Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline decreased less than a penny to $2.22 per gallon, down 77 cents per gallon from the same time last year. The Midwest price increased four cents to $2.27 per gallon. The Rocky Mountain price was down six cents to $2.24 per gallon. The West Coast and Gulf Coast prices each decreased three cents to $2.65 per gallon and $1.92 per gallon, respectively. The East Coast price decreased one cent to $2.11 per gallon.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price declined one cent to $2.49 per gallon, down $1.14 per gallon from the same time last year. The Midwest price decreased two cents to $2.52 per gallon. The East Coast, Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain and West Coast prices all decreased one cent to $2.49 per gallon, $2.29 per gallon, $2.50 per gallon, and $2.70 per gallon, respectively.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USEnergyInformationAdministration

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• U.S. Help-Wanted Advertising — October 2015

“Online advertised vacancies increased 172,300 to 5,452,500 in October, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series,released today. The September Supply/Demand rate stands at 1.50 unemployed for each advertised vacancy with a total of 2.6 million more unemployed workers than the number of advertised vacancies. The number of unemployed was around 8.0 million in September.

“’Labor demand for 2015 continues to follow the 2014 pattern of high monthly demand levels with modest net growth,’ said Gad Levanon, Managing Director of Macroeconomic and Labor Market Research at The Conference Board. ‘The strong monthly demand level continues to help reduce the number of unemployed and maintain a positive outlook for the US labor market….’”

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• U.S. Holidays Upcoming: Survey Results — 2016

“Except for the observance of Christmas Day—on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, because the actual holiday falls on a Sunday—few organizations will close to observe a religious holiday next year, according to the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM’s) annual Holiday Survey Findings released Nov. 4, 2015.

”The vast majority of companies—92 percent or more, depending on the holiday—will observe the federal holidays of New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day, SHRM found. The majority will remain open during the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in 2016, the survey also showed.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: SHRM

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• U.S. Trade Deficit — September 2015

The goods and services deficit was $40.8 billion in September, down $7.2 billion from $48.0 billion in August, revised. September exports were $187.9 billion, $3.0 billion more than August exports.

September imports were $228.7 billion, $4.2 billion less than August imports.

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

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03 November 2015

• U.S. Auto and Light Truck Sales — October 2015

Auto sales for the month were up 4.1% as compared to October 2014, however, year-to-date sales are 1.6% below the data for last year at this time.

Light truck sales were up 21.9% as compared to last October; YTD sales up 12.7%.

Please visit this link to read the full report: Barron’s

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• U.S. Factory Orders — September 2015

• New orders for manufactured goods in September, down two consecutive months, decreased $4.7 billion or 1.0 percent to $466.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 2.1 percent August decrease.

• Shipments, down five of the last six months, decreased $1.8 billion or 0.4 percent to $477.3 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent August decrease.

• Unfilled orders, down two consecutive months, decreased $6.2 billion or 0.5 percent to $1,187.9 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent August decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.88, down from 6.89 in August.

• Inventories, down three consecutive months, decreased $2.4 billion or 0.4 percent to $645.1 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent August decrease. The inventorie

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

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02 November 2015

• U.S. Construction Spending — September 2015

Construction spending during September 2015 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,094.2 billion, 0.6 percent (±1.8%) above the revised August estimate of $1,087.5 billion. The September figure is 14.1 percent (±2.1%) above the September 2014 estimate of $959.2 billion.

During the first 9 months of this year, construction spending amounted to $786.6 billion, 10.5 percent (±1.3%) above the $711.8 billion for the same period in 2014.

Please visit this link to read the full report: USDOCCensus

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• U.S. Manufacturing: New Orders, Production, and Employment — October 2015

“The October PMI® registered 50.1 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the September reading of 50.2 percent. The New Orders Index registered 52.9 percent, an increase of 2.8 percentage points from the reading of 50.1 percent in September.

”The Employment Index registered 47.6 percent, 2.9 percentage points below the September reading of 50.5 percent….”

Please visit this link to read the full report: InstituteForSupplyManagement

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

Pages

30 November 2015

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

25 November 2015

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

• U.S. New Home Sales — October 2015

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

• U.S. Durable Goods Orders — October 2015

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 21 November 2015

24 November 2015

• U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product — Q3 2015

• U.S. Minimum Wage Increases Scheduled, by State — 2016

23 November 2015

• U.S. Existing Home Sales — October 2015

• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Performance and Accountability Report — Fiscal Year 2015

• U.S. Salary Increase Budgets — 2015/2016

20 November 2015

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

• Connecticut Employment Situation — October 2015

19 November 2015

• U.S. Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work — 2014

• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 16 November 2015

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 14 November 2015

18 November 2015

• U.S. Housing Starts, Building Permits — October 2015

17 November 2015

• U.S. Real Earnings – October 2015

• U.S. Consumer Price Index [NSA] — October 2015

• U.S. Business Economists Predict Wages…Employment — Q3 2015

16 November 2015

• U.S. Master’s Degree Salaries Reported — Class of 2015

13 November 2015

• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 10 November 2015

• U.S. Business Sales and Inventories — September 2015

• U.S. Retail Sales — October 2015

• U.S. Producer Price Index — October 2015

12 November 2015

• U.S. Job Openings & Labor Turnover — September 2015

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 07 November 2015

10 November 2015

• U.S. Wholesale Trade: Sales and Inventories — September 2015

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

06 November 2015

• U.S. Employment Situation — October 2015

05 November 2015

• U.S. Productivity, Unit Labor Costs Rise — Q3 2015

• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 31 October 2015

04 November 2015

• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 02 November 2015

• U.S. Help-Wanted Advertising — October 2015

• U.S. Holidays Upcoming: Survey Results — 2016

• U.S. Trade Deficit — September 2015

03 November 2015

• U.S. Auto and Light Truck Sales — October 2015

• U.S. Factory Orders — September 2015

02 November 2015

• U.S. Construction Spending — September 2015

• U.S. Manufacturing: New Orders, Production, and Employment — October 2015