• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Up 18k [Jobless]

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In the week ending June 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 354,000, an increase of 18,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 336,000 but down 8.3% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 348,250, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 345,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.3 percent for the week ending June 8, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending June 1 were in Alaska (4.5), Puerto Rico (4.3), New Mexico (3.2), New Jersey (3.1), Connecticut (3.0), Pennsylvania (3.0), California (2.9), Nevada (2.8), Oregon (2.8), and Illinois (2.6). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending June 8 were in Pennsylvania (+5,214), Illinois (+3,364), Texas (+3,007), Georgia (+2,937), and Ohio (+2,326), while the largest decreases were in California (-1,209), Kansas (-404), Nebraska (-314), Missouri (-212), and Montana (-202). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• Asians Fastest-Growing U.S. Race or Ethnic Group in 2012

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Asians were the nation's fastest-growing race or ethnic group in 2012. Their population rose by 530,000, or 2.9 percent, in the preceding year, to 18.9 million, according to Census Bureau annual population estimates. More than 60 percent of this growth in the Asian population came from international migration. By comparison, the Hispanic population grew by 2.2 percent, or more than 1.1 million, to just over 53 million in 2012. The Hispanic population growth was fueled primarily by natural increase (births minus deaths), which accounted for 76 percent of Hispanic population change. Hispanics remain our nation's second largest race or ethnic group (behind non-Hispanic whites), representing about 17 percent of the total population. Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders (climbing 2.2 percent to about 1.4 million), American Indians and Alaska Natives (rising 1.5 percent to a little over 6.3 million), and blacks or African-Americans (increasing 1.3 percent to 44.5 million) followed Asians and Hispanics in percentage growth rates. Source: USDOC-Census

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• Monthly Wholesale Trade: Sales and Inventories April 2013

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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 $416.6 billion, up 0.5 percent (+/-0.5%) from the revised March level and were up 0.7 percent (+/-3.2%) from the April 2012 level. Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Down 11k [Jobless]

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In the week ending June 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 346,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 357,000 and down 8.5% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 352,500, an increase of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average of 348,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.3 percent for the week ending May 25, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending May 18 were in Alaska (4.9), Puerto Rico (4.3), California (3.2), New Mexico (3.2), New Jersey (3.1), Connecticut (3.0), Pennsylvania (3.0), Nevada (2.8), Oregon (2.7), and Illinois (2.6). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending May 25 were in California (+8,622), Missouri (+2,999), Kentucky (+1,750), Pennsylvania (+1,333), and Kansas (+1,325), while the largest decreases were in Michigan (-2,185), North Carolina (-1,747), South Carolina (-867), Tennessee (-686), and Texas (-608). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• More Than 380,000 Nonemployer Businesses Added to the U.S. Economy

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The number of businesses without paid employees in the U.S. rose 1.7 percent to 22.5 million in 2011, according to a new report released today from the U.S. Census Bureau. This marked the second straight increase in nonemployer businesses, with all but two states (Louisiana and New Hampshire) posting gains from 2010 to 2011. Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Consumer Price Index – April 2013 (Inflation, Cost of Living)

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 232.531 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. Click on chart to enlarge The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.9 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 228.949 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.1 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2011 period are subject to revision. The Consumer Price Index for May 2013 is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). Source: USDOL-BLS

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• Connecticut Employer to Close, Layoff 174 in Shelton, Trumbull

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The CTDOL says that First Student, of Shelton and Trumbull, will lay off 174 workers effective 6/30/13; the facilities will close on that date. At least some of those to be laid off are represented by SEIU Local 2001 and by ATU Local 1336. Source: CTDOL

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• U.S. Purchasing Managers’ Manufacturing Report – April 2013

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“Manufacturing expanded in April as the PMI™ registered 50.7 percent, a decrease of 0.6 percentage point when compared to March's reading of 51.3 percent. This month's reading reflects the fifth consecutive month of growth in the manufacturing sector. ”A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.” Source: Institute for Supply Management

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• U.S. Personal Income and Expenditures – March 2013

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Personal income increased $30.9 billion, or 0.2 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $20.7 billion, or 0.2 percent, in March. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $21.0 billion, or 0.2 percent. In February, personal income increased $151.2 billion, or 1.1 percent, DPI increased $134.0 billion, or 1.1 percent, and PCE increased $81.6 billion, or 0.7 percent, based on revised estimates. Real disposable income increased 0.3 percent in March, compared with an increase of 0.7 percent in February. Real PCE increased 0.3 percent in March, the same as in February. Source: USDOL-BEA

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• U.S. Industrial Production – March 2013 [Capacity utilization, index]

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Industrial production rose 0.4 percent in March after having increased 1.1 percent in February. For the first quarter as a whole, output moved up at an annual rate of 5.0 percent, its largest gain since the first quarter of 2012. Manufacturing output edged down 0.1 percent in March after having risen 0.9 percent in February; the index advanced at an annual rate of 5.3 percent in the first quarter. Production at mines decreased 0.2 percent in March and edged down in the first quarter. In March, the output of utilities jumped 5.3 percent, as unusually cold weather drove up heating demand. At 99.5 percent of its 2007 average, total industrial production in March was 3.5 percent above its year-earlier level. The rate of capacity utilization for total industry moved up in March to 78.5 percent, a rate that is 1.2 percentage points above its level of a year earlier but 1.7 percentage points below its long-run (1972--2012) average. Source: Federal Reserve

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• U.S. Retail Sales – March 2013

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U.S. retail and food services sales for March, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $418.3 billion, a decrease of 0.4 percent (±0.5%) from the previous month, but 2.8 percent (±0.7%) above March 2012. Total sales for the January through March 2013 period were up 3.7 percent (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago. The January to February 2013 percent change was revised from +1.1 percent (±0.5%) to +1.0 percent (±0.2%). Retail trade sales were down 0.6 percent (±0.5%) from February 2013, but 2.6 percent (±0.8%) above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 13.5 percent (±2.3%) from March 2012 and auto and other motor vehicle dealers were up 7.4 percent (±2.1%) from last year. Source: USDOC-Census

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• Despite Pay Freeze, Average Federal Salary Rises

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“The figure commonly used as the 'average' federal employee salary is up to almost $78,500.” Source: WashingtonPost.com

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• Connecticut Unemployment Insurance Special Assessments to Be Mailed in August

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The state’s current loan balance with the U.S. Department of Labor is approximately $670 million, but the Agency expects to make a voluntary loan payment in June of this year. In addition, the federal interest rate on trust fund loans for 2013 has been lowered again, to 2.5765%. As a result, this year’s Special Assessment is projected to be reduced for the second consecutive year, to approximately $20 million. This equates to approximately $1.10 per thousand dollars of taxable payroll, or about $16.50 per full time employee. For example, an employer with 10 workers can expect to receive an August 2013 assessment of approximately $165. Source: CTDOL

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• U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product – Q4 2012 [GDP]

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Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 0.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 (that is, from the third quarter to the fourth quarter), according to the "third" estimate.... In the third quarter, real GDP increased 3.1 percent. Source: USDOC-BEA

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• “After Strong January, CT Building Permits Plunged In February”

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“That sound you heard was the state's building permit activity crashing back to earth after a spectacular January. ”The 128 municipalities in the state that file monthly data with the U.S. Census Bureau issued 244 building permits for new housing units in February, a 39 percent drop from the 401 issued in February 2012, according to a report released Tuesday by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.” Source: Rep-Am.com

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• Connecticut Employer Faces Fines for Repeat Violations

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“Hoffman Auto Body Shop of East Hartford, Conn., has been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards. ”OSHA's Hartford office re-inspected the business to verify correction of hazards cited during a 2011 inspection. OSHA found recurring hazards from the storage of equipment and materials, some flammable, near paint spray booths and electric panels. The stored materials limited access to extinguish potential fires, presented fire and shock hazards and impeded cleaning around the booths, allowing potentially combustible materials to accumulate. ”The auto body repair shop faces proposed fines of $54,300.” Source: Read the News Release

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• U.S. Manufacturing Productivity – Annual Report

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Labor productivity rose in 63 percent of the 86 detailed manufacturing industries in 2011, down from 78 percent in 2010. Fewer industries recorded gains in output in 2011 than in the previous year, while more industries posted gains in hours. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Leading Indicators – February 2013 [Leading Economic Index]

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“The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. rose 0.5 percent in February to 94.8 (2004 = 100), following a 0.5 percent increase in January, and a 0.4 percent increase in December.” Source: The Conference Board

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• Unemployment Rate for Gulf War-Era II U.S. Veterans

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The unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time since September 2001--a group referred to as Gulf War-era II veterans--declined by 2.2 percentage points to 9.9 percent in 2012. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• Civil Rights Attorney to Be U.S. Labor Secretary

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“President Barack Obama on Monday will announce Thomas E. Perez, U.S. assistant attorney general heading the Justice Department's civil rights division, as his nominee for the next secretary of the Department of Labor, according to a White House official.” Source: CNN.com

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