Weekly Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Level Since September 2022
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
Weekly Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Level Since September 2022
Weekly Jobless Claims , Drop to Lowest Level Since , September 2022.
CNBC reports that the labor market has started
2024 with surprising resiliency, posting an
unexpected drop in initial jobless claims.
For the week ending January 13, initial filings
for unemployment insurance totaled 187,000,
the lowest amount since September of 2022.
According to the latest Labor Department data,
the total marked a 16,000 decline from the week
before and came in under Dow Jones estimates.
The labor market has remained resilient despite
the Federal Reserve's attempts to slow the
economy with an interest rate-hiking campaign.
Not only did weekly claims drop, but continuing
claims also saw a surprising decrease of
26,000, bringing the total down to 1.806 million.
.
Employers may be adding fewer
workers monthly, but they are
holding onto the ones they have
and paying higher wages given
the competitive labor market, Robert Frick, corporate economist
at Navy Federal Credit Union, via CNBC.
Another report, released on January 18, showed
the housing market improving with building
permits increasing by 1.9% to a total of 1.495 million.
CNBC reports that the news comes one day
after the Fed released its periodic summary
of economic conditions, which detailed mostly
stagnant activity since late November.
The central bank's 'Beige Book' report
noted signs of a "cooling labor market"
with lower wage pressures.
.
The central bank's 'Beige Book' report
noted signs of a "cooling labor market"
with lower wage pressures.
.
The report also highlighted the impact of higher rates on
the housing market, which could improve in the future
if the Fed decides to ease its efforts to tame inflation.
Surge of New Applications for , Unemployment Benefits , May Signal Cooling Job Market.
Last week, the number of people in the
United States filing for unemployment benefits
reached the highest level in ten months last week. .
ABC reports that the news comes as a potential
sign that the U.S. labor market may be slowing
under the burden of high interest rates. .
The week ending June 8 saw
applications for jobless benefits
rise by 13,000 to reach 242,000. .
According to Labor Department
data, that is up from 229,000 new
applications the week before.
The number also represents the highest
number of new applications since August
of 2023, while also being significantly higher
than the 225,000 new claims forecast.
ABC reports that weekly unemployment claims have
lingered at historically low levels since millions of
jobs disappeared with the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABC reports that weekly unemployment claims have
lingered at historically low levels since millions of
jobs disappeared with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has raised
benchmark rates 11 times in an attempt to reign in
inflation which has risen to a four-decade high.
While the latest data suggests that consumer
inflation cooled in May, the Federal Reserve
has decided to leave rates at a 23-year high.
According to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, officials
are waiting for more evidence that prices
are reaching their target of two percent.
ABC reports that a total of 1.82 million
Americans were collecting unemployment
benefits in the week ending June 1. .
ABC reports that a total of 1.82 million
Americans were collecting unemployment
benefits in the week ending June 1.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Walgreens Plans , āSignificantā Store Closures.
On June 27, Walgreens announced quarterly earnings
that were poorer than expected, NBC News reports.
The company's stock fell 15% in pre-market trading.
CEO Tim Wentworth issued a press release.
We continue to face a difficult operating
environment, including persistent
pressures on the U.S. consumer and the
impact of recent marketplace dynamics
which have eroded pharmacy margins, Tim Wentworth, Walgreens CEO, via press release.
Our results and outlook
reflect these headwinds, Tim Wentworth, Walgreens CEO, via press release.
Wentworth elaborated in an interview with CNBC.
The consumer is absolutely stunned by
the absolute prices of things, and the
fact that some of them may not be
inflating doesnāt actually change their
resistance to the current pricing, Tim Wentworth, Walgreens CEO, via CNBC.
On a call with analysts, Wentworth said that Walgreens' strategy will have to "include the closure of a significant portion of these underperforming stores.".
75% of our stores drive 100% of our
profitability today. What that means is
the others we take a hard look at, we are
going to finalize a number that we will close, Tim Wentworth, Walgreens CEO, via call with analysts.
The pharmacy chain currently
operates about 8,600 stores
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
US Water System May Be , Vulnerable to Cyberattack, by China, Russia and Iran.
CNBC reports that the United States
water system has been the target of a series
of cyberattacks over the past few years. .
In response, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has been forced to issue an alert warning
that 70% of water systems do not comply
with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
According to the EPA, some have āalarming
cybersecurity vulnerabilities,ā including
unchanged default passwords and former
employees who retain access to vital systems.
In February, the FBI issued a warning to
Congress that Chinese hackers have embedded
themselves into the U.S. cyber infrastructure. .
Those hackers have targeted water treatment
plants, the electrical grid, transportation
systems and other vital infrastructure.
Those hackers have targeted water treatment
plants, the electrical grid, transportation
systems and other vital infrastructure.
Water is among
the least mature
in terms of security, Adam Isles, head of cybersecurity
practice for Chertoff Group, via CNBC.
Stuart Madnick, an MIT professor of engineering
systems and co-founder of Cybersecurity at
MIT Sloan, warns that an attack that shuts off
water to the population is the main concern.
We have demonstrated in our
lab how operations, such as
a water plant, could be shut
down not just for hours or
days, but for weeks, Adam Isles, head of cybersecurity
practice for Chertoff Group, via CNBC.
Recently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sent a letter
to governors stressing the urgency of the threat. .
Recently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sent a letter
to governors stressing the urgency of the threat. .
CNBC reports that budgets, outdated
infrastructure and an overall reluctance to take
action may prevent necessary fixes from
being made before a serious attack.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
European Union Announces , Higher Tariffs on Chinese EVs.
On June 12, the EU said it will
impose higher tariffs on imports of
Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), CNBC reports. .
The increase in tariffs is the result of a
probe launched by the EU in October.
According to the EU, the Chinese imports benefit "heavily from unfair subsidies" and threaten "economic injury" to European EV producers.
The influx of subsidized Chinese imports
at artificially low prices therefore
presents a threat of clearly foreseeable
and imminent injury to EU industry, European Commission, via statement.
A 38.1% tariff will be imposed on battery electric vehicle producers who refused to cooperate with the bloc's investigation.
A 21% tariff will be implemented for carmakers in China who complied
but have yet to be "sampled.".
On June 11, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce called the higher
tariffs a "protectionist act.".
The findings disclosed in the EU
ruling lack factual and legal basis, Spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, via statement.
This is a naked protectionist act,
creating and escalating trade
frictions, and 'destroying fair
competition' in the name of
'maintaining fair competition.' , Spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, via statement.
This move by the EU not only damages the
legitimate rights and interests of Chinaās
electric vehicle industry, but will also disrupt
and distort the global automotive industry
chain supply chain, including the EU, Spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Elon Musk Drops Lawsuit , Against OpenAI.
In February of this year, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and two of its co-founders, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.
In February of this year, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and two of its co-founders, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.
In February of this year, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and two of its co-founders, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.
The suit alleged that OpenAI initially worked
to develop artificial general intelligence
"for the benefit of humanity" but later strayed
from that goal to become a for-profit entity. .
Musk, who had a hand in launching
OpenAI, was suing "for breach of contract
and fiduciary duty," CNBC reports.
In March, experts told CNBC that the suit had a murky legal foundation because there was no formal written agreement signed by each party.
On June 11, Musk dropped the lawsuit.
It was dismissed without prejudice.
His decision to drop the lawsuit comes
one day after he threatened Apple over
its new partnership with OpenAI.
His decision to drop the lawsuit comes
one day after he threatened Apple over
its new partnership with OpenAI.
He called the partnership "an unacceptable security violation" since Apple has
"no clue what's actually going on.".
Itās patently absurd that Apple isnāt
smart enough to make their own
AI, yet is somehow capable of
ensuring that OpenAI will protect
your security & privacy!, Elon Musk, via X.
Musk went on to say that if Apple
"integrates OpenAI at the OS level," the company's devices will be banned at his businesses.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Apple Is Reportedly Building , a Dedicated Passwords App.
On June 6, Mark Gurman from 'Bloomberg' reported that Apple intends to build next-gen iPhones and Macs with a built-in password management app.
On June 6, Mark Gurman from 'Bloomberg' reported that Apple intends to build next-gen iPhones and Macs with a built-in password management app.
The new app will be called Passwords, Engadget reports.
The app will be revealed at the
Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
While Apple already offers password
services via the iCloud Keychain.
it can be tedious to find
or change passwords with it.
A dedicated passwords app would make the whole process easier and likely encourage some people to stick with Apple.
Similarly to subscription password managers 1Password and LastPass, Apple's app will
split passwords into categories.
Similarly to subscription password managers 1Password and LastPass, Apple's app will
split passwords into categories.
Such categories include "accounts, WiFi networks and Passkeys," CNBC reports. .
Users will be able to
import passwords from other apps.
Two-factor verification codes
will also be supported.
It's not clear if Passwords will let you
store files and images as its rivals do.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
New US Home Construction , Sinks to Slowest Pace in 4 Years.
Government data released on June 20 indicates that new home construction in America dropped in May to the slowest pace since June 2020, Yahoo Finance reports. .
Housing starts dropped 5.5%,
and building permits dipped 3.8%.
Home completions also fell to the lowest amount since September 2022.
High interest rates, set by the Fed to help tame inflation, have resulted in high mortgage rates.
But recent data has suggested that inflation has started to cool, which may give the Fed the confidence it needs to lower rates.
The weakest U.S. housing starts
since the pandemic-led shutdowns
are fairly convincing evidence of
restrictive monetary policy. , Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, via note.
While a growing population and
workforce are providing some support,
US home builders wonāt become
busier until borrowing costs fall, Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, via note.
Meanwhile, other data released on June 20 showed that first-time applications for unemployment benefits dropped last week.
However, continuing claims rose
for a seventh consecutive week
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Mortgage Rates Continue , to Fall, Raising Hopes of the , Fed Cutting Rates.
ABC reports that borrowing costs for
home loans continued to ease this week,
with the average rate on a 30-year mortgage
falling to its lowest level since April.
According to mortgage buyer
Freddie Mac, the rate fell from
6.95% to 6.87% last week. .
That figure is still significantly higher than
what the rate was during the same time last year,
which was at an average of 6.67%. .
15-year fixed-rate mortgages
also eased, falling from
6.17% last week to 6.13%. .
During the same time last year,
the average rate was at 6.03%.
Those higher rates can add hundreds of dollars
to monthly costs for borrowers, which limits the
purchasing options of potential homebuyers.
Mortgage rates fell for
the third straight week
following signs of cooling
inflation and market
expectations of a
future Fed rate cut, Sam Khater, Freddie Macās chief economist, via ABC.
ABC reports that rates are influenced by a number
of factors, including the Federal Reserve's interest
rate policy and the 10-year Treasury yield.
ABC reports that rates are influenced by a number
of factors, including the Federal Reserve's interest
rate policy and the 10-year Treasury yield.
Due to yields also beginning to ease, the Federal
Reserve could start to drop its main interest rate
after hiking it up to the highest level in over 20 years.
Last week, Fed officials suggested that they would make
just one cut to their benchmark interest rate in 2024,
down from previous projections of three cuts for the year.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Fed Holds Steady , With Interest Rates at , 2-Decade High.
On June 12, the Federal Reserve chose to hold
interest rates at a two-decade high while it
waits to see more signs of inflation going down.
'The Guardian' reports that officials at the United States
central bank expect to make a single rate cut
in 2024, according to the latest projections.
In previous projections,
policymakers expected the Fed
to make three cuts in 2024. .
At the latest meeting, the Fed chose to
keep rates at the same place they've been
for nearly a year, between 5.25% and 5.5%.
Despite recent data suggesting that inflation
may be easing, the Fed clearly doesn't see it moving
at a pace that would lead it to start cutting rates.
In May, inflation cooled slightly across the U.S.,
according to the latest consumer price index, however
consumers remain frustrated over skyrocketing prices.
In May, inflation cooled slightly across the U.S.,
according to the latest consumer price index, however
consumers remain frustrated over skyrocketing prices.
'The Guardian' reports that price growth has
slowed significantly since surging over 9%
in 2022, its highest level in a generation.
'The Guardian' reports that price growth has
slowed significantly since surging over 9%
in 2022, its highest level in a generation.
May saw prices for air fare and fuel go
down, inflation for grocery prices remained
flat, and shelter costs continued to rise.
May saw prices for air fare and fuel go
down, inflation for grocery prices remained
flat, and shelter costs continued to rise.
Overall, prices remained unchanged on a month-to-month
basis as the Fed emphasized that it would wait for
inflation to hit its previously-stated target of 2%.
The committee does not expect
it will be appropriate to reduce
the target range until it has
gained greater confidence
that inflation is moving
sustainably toward 2%, Federal Reserve statement, via Fox News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
European Central Bank , Cuts Interest Rates.
The action was confirmed on June 6 at
the central bank's meeting, CNBC reports. .
The European Central Bank's (ECB) key
rate will go from 4% down to 3.75%.
The ECB Governing Council issued a statement.
Based on an updated assessment of
the inflation outlook, the dynamics of
underlying inflation and the strength
of monetary policy transmission, , ECB Governing Council, via statement.
... it is now appropriate to
moderate the degree of monetary
policy restriction after nine months
of holding rates steady, ECB Governing Council, via statement.
This is the first time that interest rates
have been cut since September 2019. .
Updated macroeconomic projections indicate that 2024's "annual average headline inflation outlook" has been increased from 2.3% to 2.5%, CNBC reports.
For 2025, it was raised from 2% to 2.2%.
The projection for 2026 stayed at 1.9%.
The ECB's next meeting is in July, where another rate cut is unlikely, experts say.
The slight upgrade to the inflation forecast
was to be expected, inflation has been printing
a little bit hotter than markets were expecting,
but in terms of the timing of the next cut
Iād still be looking to September, Dean Turner, chief euro zone economist at
UBS Global Wealth Management, to CNBC.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
The U.S. Federal Reserve continues
to battle America's rate of inflation.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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