• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 16 February 2016

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Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average regular gasoline retail price fell four cents from the previous week to $1.72 per gallon on February 16, down 55 cents from the same time last year. The West Coast price decreased 10 cents to $2.22 per gallon. The Rocky Mountain price was down six cents to $1.69 per gallon. The East Coast price declined four cents to $1.76 per gallon, and the Gulf Coast price was down three cents to $1.53 per gallon. The Midwest price increased less than a penny, remaining virtually unchanged at $1.52 per gallon.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price fell three cents to $1.98 per gallon, 89 cents lower than the same time last year and the first time the price has fallen below $2.00 per gallon since February 2005.The Rocky Mountain price fell five cents to $1.87 per gallon, followed by the Gulf Coast price, which was down four cents to $1.86 per gallon. The West Coast also decreased four cents to $2.19 per gallon. The East Coast and Midwest prices each declined two cents to $2.07 per gallon, and $1.91 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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

• U.S. Consumer Price Index — January 2016

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 236.916 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 231.061 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.0 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 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 February 2016 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Real Earnings – January 2016

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For the Month: Real average hourly earnings for all employees increased 0.4 percent from December to January, seasonally adjusted. This result stems from a 0.5-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 increased 0.7 percent over the month due to the increase in real average hourly earnings combined with a 0.3-percent increase in the average workweek. For the Year: Real average hourly earnings increased 1.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, from January 2015 to January 2016. This increase in real average hourly earnings combined with no change in the average workweek resulted in a 1.2-percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period.p>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. © 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 13 February 2016

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In the week ending February 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 262,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 269,000. The 4-week moving average was 273,250, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 281,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending February 6, 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 February 6 was 2,273,000, an increase of 30,000 from the previous week's revised level. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending January 30 were in Alaska (4.7), West Virginia (3.7), New Jersey (3.4), Montana (3.3), Pennsylvania (3.3), Connecticut (3.0), Wyoming (3.0), Illinois (2.9), Puerto Rico (2.9), and Rhode Island (2.9). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending February 6 were in Texas (+1,674), Rhode Island (+783), Florida (+419), Michigan (+385), and Virginia (+370), while the largest decreases were in Illinois (-5,503), Tennessee (- 3,067), Pennsylvania (-2,284), Maryland (-1,911), and Ohio (-1,695). 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. © 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Industrial Production — January 2016

Industrial production increased 0.9 percent in January after decreasing 0.7 percent in December.

A storm late in the month likely held down production in January by a small amount.

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Housing Starts — January 2016

Building Permits: Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,202,000. This is 0.2 percent (±0.5%) below the revised December rate of 1,204,000, but is 13.5 percent (±1.5%) above the January 2015 estimate of 1,059,000.

Single-family authorizations in January were at a rate of 720,000; this is 1.6 percent (±1.0%) below the revised December figure of 732,000.

Housing Starts: Privately-owned housing starts in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,099,000. This is 3.8 percent (±12.0%) below the revised December estimate of 1,143,000, but is 1.8 percent (±13.5%) above the January 2015 rate of 1,080,000.

Single-family housing starts in January were at a rate of 731,000; this is 3.9 percent (±10.5%) below the revised December figure of 761,000.

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Producer Price Index — January 2016

The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.1 percent in January. Final demand prices decreased 0.2 percent in December and rose 0.4 percent in November.

In January, prices for final demand services advanced 0.5 percent and the index for final demand goods declined 0.7 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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Consumer Sentiment — February 2016

“Consumers are feeling less optimistic than expected so far this month as they weigh inflation rates and the pace of wage gains, a survey said...

”The Index of Consumer sentiment hit 90.7 in February's preliminary reading, according to estimates by the University of Michigan. Analysts expected a reading of 92, down from January's preliminary 93.3 and even with January's final reading of 92, according to Thomson Reuters consensus estimates.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report: CNBC

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Manufacturing and Trade Inventories and Sales— December 2015

Sales. The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that the combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for December, adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,302.3 billion, down 0.6 percent (±0.3%) from November 2015 and was down 2.7 percent (±0.5%) from December 2014.

Inventories. Manufacturers’ and trade inventories, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $1,813.1 billion, up 0.1 percent (±0.1%) from November 2015 and were up 1.7 percent (±0.6%) from November 2014.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The total business inventories/sales ratio based on seasonally adjusted data at the end of December was 1.39. The December 2014 ratio was 1.33.

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Retail Sales — January 2016

U.S. retail and food services sales for January, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $449.9 billion, an increase of 0.2 percent (±0.5%) from the previous month, and 3.4 percent (±0.7%) above January 2015.

Total sales for the November 2015 through January 2016 period were up 2.5 percent (±0.5%) from the same period.

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 06 February 2016

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In the week ending February 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 269,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 285,000. The 4-week moving average was 281,250, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 284,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.6 percent for the week ending January 30, 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 January 30 was 2,239,000, a decrease of 21,000 from the previous week's revised level. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending January 23 were in Alaska (4.8), West Virginia (3.6), Montana (3.4), New Jersey (3.3), Connecticut (3.1), Pennsylvania (3.1), Puerto Rico (3.0), Illinois (2.9), Massachusetts (2.9), and Wyoming (2.9). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending January 30 were in Illinois (+5,092), Tennessee (+4,211), Pennsylvania (+4,055), Maryland (+2,463), and New Jersey (+2,129), while the largest decreases were in California (- 2,873), Wisconsin (-1,246), Minnesota (-978), Michigan (-743), and Missouri (-738). 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. © 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 08 February 2016

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Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average regular gasoline retail price decreased six cents from the previous week to $1.76 per gallon on February 8, down 43 cents from the same time last year. The Midwest price fell 10 cents to $1.52 per gallon. The West Coast price fell six cents to $2.31 per gallon. The Rocky Mountain price decreased five cents to $1.75 per gallon, followed by the East Coast price, which was down four cents to $1.79 per gallon. The Gulf Coast price decreased three cents to $1.56 per gallon.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price decreased two cents from the prior week to $2.01 per gallon, down 83 cents from the same time last year. The Rocky Mountain price decreased six cents per gallon to $1.91 per gallon. The West Coast price fell four cents to $2.24 per gallon. The East Coast and Gulf Coast prices each fell two cents to $2.09 per gallon and $1.90 per gallon, respectively. The Midwest price decreased one cent to $1.93 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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

• U.S. Major Work Stoppages — 2015

In 2015, there were 12 major work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least one shift, one more than in 2014. Since the series began in 1947 the lowest annual total was 5 in 2009.

Major work stoppages beginning in 2015 idled 47,000 workers, higher than the 34,000 workers of 2014.

In 2015, there were 740,000 days idle from major work stoppages in effect, also higher than 2014 with 200,000 days idle. Private industry organizations accounted for over 92 percent of the total days idle, consisting of 684,000 days of idleness. In 2015, oil and gas extraction, manufacturing, and educational services industries accounted for approximately 89 percent of all days idle for major work stoppages.

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Wholesale Trade, Inventories — December 2015

December 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 $440.0 billion, down 0.3 percent (+/-0.9%) from the revised November level and were down 4.5 percent (+/-1.4%) from the December 2014 level. The November preliminary estimate was revised downward $1.3 billion or 0.3 percent.

December sales of durable goods were up 0.3 percent (+/-1.1%) from last month, but were down 3.0 percent (+/-2.1%) from a year ago. Sales of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were up 2.5 percent from last month, while sales of electrical and electronic goods were down 1.9 percent.

Sales of nondurable goods were down 0.9 percent (+/-1.1%) from November and were down 5.9 percent (+/-1.8%) from last December. Sales of petroleum and petroleum products were down 4.5 percent from last month….

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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

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The number of job openings increased to 5.6 million on the last business day of December. Hires and separations were little changed at 5.4 million and 5.1 million, respectively.

Within separations, the quits rate was 2.1 percent, and the layoffs and discharges rate was 1.1 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

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Labor Market Conditions Index — January 2016

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Labor market conditions are deteriorating with the Index falling to plus 0.4 in January vs 2.3 in December. In January 2015 the Index stood at 3.7. 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.” 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. © 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• U.S. Average Retail Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices — 01 February 2016

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Regular Gasoline: The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased three cents from the previous week to $1.82 per gallon on February 1, 2016, down 25 cents from the same time last year. The West Coast price decreased eight cents to $2.38 per gallon, followed by the Rocky Mountain price, which decreased six cents to $1.80 per gallon. The Gulf Coast price was down four cents to $1.59 per gallon. The East Coast price decreased three cents to $1.84 per gallon, and the Midwest price was down one cent to $1.62 per gallon.

Diesel Fuel: The U.S. average diesel fuel price decreased four cents from last week to $2.03 per gallon, down 80 cents per gallon from the same time last year. The West Coast, Rocky Mountain, and Midwest prices each fell five cents to $2.27 per gallon, $1.97 per gallon, and $1.94 per gallon, respectively. The Gulf Coast price was down four cents to $1.92 per gallon. The East Coast price decreased three cents to $2.11 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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

• U.S. Employment Situation — January 2016

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 151,000 in January, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.9 percent. Job gains occurred in several industries, led by retail trade, food services and drinking places, health care, and manufacturing. Employment declined in private educational services, transportation and warehousing, and mining.

Both the number of unemployed persons, at 7.8 million, and the unemployment rate, at 4.9 percent, changed little in January. Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate were down by 1.1 million and 0.8 percentage point, respectively.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (4.5 percent) and Whites (4.3 percent) declined in January. The jobless rates for adult women (4.5 percent), teenagers (16.0 percent), Blacks (8.8 percent), Asians (3.7 percent), and Hispanics (5.9 percent) showed little change over the month.

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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Balance of Trade — December 2015

The goods and services deficit was $43.4 billion in December, up $1.1 billion from $42.2 billion in November, revised. December exports were $181.5 billion, $0.5 billion less than November exports. December imports were $224.9 billion, up $0.6 billion from November.

The December increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $1.3 billion to $62.5 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.1 billion to $19.2 billion.

For 2015, the goods and services deficit was $531.5 billion, up $23.2 billion or 4.6 percent from 2014. Exports were $2,230.3 billion, down $112.9 billion or 4.8 percent. Imports were $2,761.8 billion, down $89.7 billion or 3.1 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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Productivity and Labor Costs — Q4 2015

Productivity decreased 3.0 percent in the nonfarm business sector in the fourth quarter of 2015; unit labor costs increased 4.5 percent (seasonally adjusted annual rates).

In manufacturing, productivity decreased 0.4 percent and unit labor costs increased 3.6 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.

© 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

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

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims — 30 January 2016

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In the week ending January 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 285,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. [NOTE: 285,000 initial claims are actually 0.4% higher than the number of claims during the same week a year ago.] The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 278,000 to 277,000. The 4-week moving average was 284,750, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 283,000 to 282,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.7 percent for the week ending January 23, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending January 23 was 2,255,000, a decrease of 18,000 from the previous week's revised level. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending January 16 were in Alaska (4.8), Montana (3.3), Pennsylvania (3.3), West Virginia (3.3), New Jersey (3.2), Puerto Rico (3.1), Connecticut (3.0), Illinois (2.9), Wyoming (2.9), and Massachusetts (2.8). The largest increase in initial claims for the week ending January 23 were in Kansas (+65), while the largest decreases were in California (-21,269), Pennsylvania (-6,355), Georgia (-6,113), Michigan (-5,036), and New Jersey (-4,111). 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. © 2016 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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

Unemployment rates were lower in December than a year earlier in 296 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 79 areas, and unchanged in 12 areas. Twenty-five areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent, and 12 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 280 metropolitan areas, decreased in 94 areas, and was unchanged in 13 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. Auto Sales — January 2016

Detailed report on auto sales in the U.S. by type, model, and manufacturer shows total light vehicle sales down 0.3% from January 2015.

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

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. Workers Considering New Jobs — 2016

“Over 50% of workers surveyed in the United States may apply for a new job in 2016 as they look for higher salaries, better titles, and more ideal locations, according to a new report…

”Half of workers surveyed say they're looking for a new jobOf 1,052 workers in the U.S., 25% said seeking a new job is definitely on their list for 2016, while 27% said a job hunt is possible.…”

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. EEOC Proposes New Wage Reporting Requirement

“…the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has announced proposed changes to its EEO-1 report, requiring employers to submit employee W-2 earnings and hours worked. All employers with at least 100 employees would be required to comply. EEOC and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) would jointly have access to the pay data for enforcement purposes…

”While the Obama Administration’s January 29 statement announcing the proposal focused mainly on the gender “pay gap” as the basis for the new requirements, the proposed changes will mandate submission of pay data broken down by race/ethnicity, in addition to gender.…”

Please visit this link to read the full report...see link to the proposed change: 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. Construction Spending — December 2015

Construction spending during December 2015 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,116.6 billion, 0.1 percent (±1.2%) above the revised November estimate of $1,116.0 billion. The December figure is 8.2 percent (±1.8%) above the December 2014 estimate of $1,031.6 billion.

The value of construction in 2015 was $1,097.3 billion, 10.5 percent (±1.2%) above the $993.4 billion spent in 2014.

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. New Orders and Production Growing, Employment and Inventories Contracting — January 2016

“The January PMI® registered 48.2 percent, an increase of 0.2 percentage point from the seasonally adjusted December reading of 48 percent. The New Orders Index registered 51.5 percent, an increase of 2.7 percentage points from the seasonally adjusted reading of 48.8 percent in December. The Production Index registered 50.2 percent, 0.3 percentage point higher than the seasonally adjusted December reading of 49.9 percent.

"The Employment Index registered 45.9 percent, 2.1 percentage points below the seasonally adjusted December reading of 48 percent. Inventories of raw materials registered 43.5 percent, the same reading as in December. The Prices Index registered 33.5 percent, the same reading as in December, indicating lower raw materials prices for the 15th consecutive month...."

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. Personal Income and Spending — December 2015

Personal income increased $42.5 billion, or 0.3 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $37.8 billion, or 0.3 percent, in December. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) decreased $0.7 billion, or less than 0.1 percent.

In November, personal income increased $44.3 billion, or 0.3 percent, DPI increased $33.4 billion, or 0.2 percent, and PCE increased $59.4 billion, or 0.5 percent, based on revised estimates.

Real DPI increased 0.4 percent in December, compared with an increase of 0.2 percent in November. Real PCE increased 0.1 percent, compared with an increase of 0.4 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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