Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 236,000 in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday—the smallest increase in more than two years, but enough to push the unemployment rate down to 3.5 percent.
Tag: Wells Fargo Economics
JOLTS: Job Openings Fall in February
U.S. job openings fell to 9.9 million in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday in its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) report.
Final Estimate of 4Q GDP Sees 2.6% Growth
Real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter, according to the third (final) estimate Thursday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
March Consumer Confidence Up Despite…Everything
Despite an interesting few weeks that have seen several bank failures, persistent inflation, a stunted housing market and prospects of higher unemployment, consumers apparently felt unfazed, according to The Conference Board, New York.
February New Home Sales Rise, But Revisions Put Damper on Report
New home sales improved in February, HUD and the Census Bureau reported Thursday, the third straight monthly increase, but only because of downward revisions to previous months.
Existing Home Sales Break 12-Month Slide
Existing home sales rose in February, marking the first monthly increase in a year, the National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday.
February Housing Starts Up Nearly 10%
February housing starts, permits and completions posted near double-digit percentage increases, ending five months of declines, HUD and the Census Bureau reported Thursday.
Inflation Rate Continues to Slow…Slowly
The federal government’s key measure of inflation—the monthly Consumer Price Index—continued to slow in February, albeit not by much.
Strong February Job Growth Muddies Fed Outlook
Employers added 311,000 jobs in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday—good news for the labor market but complicating news for the Federal Reserve, which faces the daunting task next week of encouraging economic growth while taming inflation.
Consumer Confidence Dips on High Prices, Interest Rates
The Conference Board, New York, said its monthly Consumer Confidence Index fell in February, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, amid economic uncertainty and persistent inflation.