Hourly Compensation

December 10, 2024 The Bureau of Labor Statistics  indicated that hourly compensation rose 3.1% in the third quarter after rising 1.0% in the second quarter.  In the past year compensation has risen 4.3%. Growth in hourly compensation is a good thing, but that increase...

Small Business Optimism

December 10, 2024 . Small business optimism jumped 8.0 points in November to 101.7 after climbing 2.2 points in October and 0.3 point in September.  The level is finally above the 40-year average so-called breakeven point for this series which is 98.0.  This is the...

The Year Ahead – 2025

December 6, 2024 The 2025 outlook seems particularly bright characterized by 3.0% GDP growth, the unemployment rate steady at the 4.0% mark, additional slowing in the core inflation rate to 2.3% , and a further reduction in the funds rate from 4.75% today to 3.75% by...

Consumer Sentiment

December 6, 2024 The preliminary estimate of consumer sentiment for December rose 2.2 points to 74.0 which is its  highest level since April.  This is the fifth consecutive month that sentiment has risen. Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said, “Consumer...

Payroll Employment

December 6, 2024 Payroll employment rebounded in November by 227 thousand after having risen just 36 thousand in October.  The September and October data were revised  upwards by a total of 56 thousand.  In the past three months the average increase has been 173...

Private Employment

December 6, 2024 Private sector employment rebounded in November by 194 thousand after having declined 2 thousand in October.  The September and October data were revised  upwards by a total of 56 thousand.  In the past three months the average increase has been 138...