US Job Market Stayed Strong In September Despite Fed's Rate Hikes
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
US Job Market Stayed Strong In September Despite Fed's Rate Hikes
US Job Market , Stayed Strong In September , Despite Fed's Rate Hikes.
In September, employers posted 9.6 million
job openings, an indicator that America's
job market remains strong.
.
ABC reports that layoffs fell
from 1.7 million in August to
1.5 million in September.
.
At the same time, unemployment
for the month had dropped to
3.8%, nearly a half-century low.
.
Consumer prices remained 3.7% higher
than the same time in 2022, but were down
from a 9.1% peak reached in June of 2022.
.
ABC reports that while job openings for September
were down from a record 12 million reached in
June, they remain high by historical standards.
.
The strong performance of the job market comes
despite the Federal Reserve's efforts to fight
inflation, which aim to cool the job market.
.
Since March of 2022, the Fed
has increased its benchmark
interest rate eleven times.
.
ABC reports that the U.S. central bank is expected to
announce another pause in rate hikes for its second straight
meeting while it monitors the impact of previous increases.
ABC reports that the U.S. central bank is expected to
announce another pause in rate hikes for its second straight
meeting while it monitors the impact of previous increases.
The Fed is looking to accomplish a
"soft landing," raising rates enough to reign
in prices without triggering a recession.
.
Analysts predict that U.S. employers added
another 189,000 jobs in October, which will be revealed in
the Labor Department's upcoming jobs report for the month.
Analysts predict that U.S. employers added
another 189,000 jobs in October, which will be revealed in
the Labor Department's upcoming jobs report for the month
Stock Markets Rally , Amid Investor Hopes for , Interest Rate Cuts in 2024.
On the morning of May 15, both the S&P and the
Nasdaq hit all-time highs after new data suggested
inflation may be easing in line with expectations.
Quartz reports that the Dow Jones Industrial Average
is also inching toward the record-breaking
40,000 mark, which it almost hit in March. .
According to the latest Bureau of Labor
Statistics data, April saw the Consumer Price
Index, a key gauge of inflation, rise by 3.4%.
At the same time, consumer prices
increased by 0.3%, slowing slightly
from March's 0.4% increase.
The latest data also shows that core prices,
which don't include food and energy, saw the lowest
increase since April of 2021, rising just 3.6%. .
As a result, investors have a sense of
renewed hope that the Federal Reserve will
begin to cut interest rates at some point in 2024.
The latest inflation data was released one day
after the Producer Price Index, which
measures wholesale inflation, increased 0.5%. .
Over the past year, the
index has increased 2.2%.
Shortly after markets opened, the Dow
jumped up 147 points, hitting 39,705, while the
S&P 500 and the Nasdaq saw 0.5% increases.
Shares in GameStop were down 30% after
experiencing a boost earlier this week by
the online return of investor "Roaring Kitten."
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Consumer Outlook , Plunges Amid Fears of , More Price Hikes Ahead.
CNN reports that sentiment about the economy among
consumers in the United States has plummeted
to the lowest level in the past six months.
According to the latest consumer survey by the
University of Michigan, consumers are also bracing
for more price increases in the year ahead. .
The consumer expectations gauge,
which is closely monitored by the White House,
dropped 13%, representing the most significant
single month decline since mid-2021.
The latest news is still better than
last May when inflation was at 4%
compared to the current 3.5% reading.
However, CNN points out that despite inflation
being lower than the same time last year, the numbers
have been moving in the wrong direction.
The trajectory has shifted
economist expectations for
the Federal Reserve to cut rates. .
The latest Fed report saw expectations
for year-ahead inflation increase
to 3.5% from the 3.2% forecast in April. .
At the same time, long-run
expectations for inflation also
increased to 3.1% from April's 3.0%. .
According to Chicago Federal Reserve
President Austan Goolsbee, the latest data , "bodes awful for progress on inflation.".
There isn’t, at this time,
much evidence in my view that
inflation is stalling out at 3%, Austan Goolsbee, Chicago Federal Reserve President, via CNN
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Key Federal Reserve Inflation Gauge , Rose 2.8% in March.
According to Commerce Department
data released on April 26.
the personal consumption expenditures
(PCE) price index, not including food or energy, rose 2.8% year-over-year in March. .
That exceeded Dow Jones
estimates of 2.7%, CNBC reports. .
When also accounting for food and energy, the all-items PCE measure rose 2.7%,
which was above the 2.6% estimate.
Inflation reports released this morning
were not as a hot as feared, , George Mateyo, chief investment officer at Key Wealth, via CNBC.
... but investors should not get
overly anchored to the idea that
inflation has been completely
cured and the Fed will be cutting
interest rates in the near-term, George Mateyo, chief investment officer at Key Wealth, via CNBC.
The prospects of rate cuts remain,
but they are not assured, and the
Fed will likely need weakness in
the labor market before they
have the confidence to cut, George Mateyo, chief investment officer at Key Wealth, via CNBC.
Consumers continue to spend despite
higher prices, CNBC reports.
Personal spending increased 0.8% in March, while personal income rose 0.5%.
The personal saving rate dropped to 3.2% as more people are having to dip into their savings to cover the cost of living.
The Fed continues to target 2% inflation, which the core PCE has exceeded for
the last three years, CNBC reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Fears of Potential Iranian Attack , Drive US Stocks Down , Nearly 500 Points.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
By mid-afternoon, the Dow had fallen
1.4%, the S&P 500 went down 1.6%,
and the Nasdaq dropped 1.8%.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The warning comes after Iran
accused Israel of a deadly airstrike
on a consulate in Damascus, Syria. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
Brent crude futures jumped up to $90.42
a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate crude
futures increased to $86.65 a barrel.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
CNN reports that Americans' opinions of
the economy have dipped in the past few
months amid persistently high inflation.
The geopolitical fears come as investors are already
contending with concerns that the Federal Reserve could
wait to bring interest rates down from a 23-year high.
Officials at the Fed have signaled that further rate
hikes could still be on the way if the central
bank's efforts to fight inflation stall.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Federal Reserve Posts Massive, $114 Billion , Loss in 2023.
On March 26, the Federal Reserve
announced a record-breaking net
negative income of $114.3 billion in 2023.
Reuters reports that the loss follows
$58.8 billion in net income in 2022. .
Since releasing the numbers,
the Fed has stressed that negative net
income does not impede its ability to operate.
Since releasing the numbers,
the Fed has stressed that negative net
income does not impede its ability to operate.
As a result of low rates and large
levels of bond holdings, the Fed has
earned significant profits in recent years.
Last year, the Fed's audited interest expenses for
banks' reserve balances reached $176.8 billion,
an increase of over $116 billion from 2022.
In 2023, the Fed's interest payouts from
its reverse repo facility were $104.33 billion,
increased from $41.9 billion the year before.
Reuters reports that the Fed creates funds when
dealing with operating losses, capturing its loss
in an accounting device known as a deferred asset.
Reuters reports that the Fed creates funds when
dealing with operating losses, capturing its loss
in an accounting device known as a deferred asset.
At the close of 2023, the deferred
asset stood at $133.3 billion.
As of March 20 of this year, that number
had risen to $157.8 billion with no
indication of how much larger it could get.
Last year, a St. Louis Fed report forecast that it
could take years before the Fed can return to
profitability and reduce the country's deferred asset.
Last year, a St. Louis Fed report forecast that it
could take years before the Fed can return to
profitability and reduce the country's deferred asset
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees , Are Announced.
2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees , Are Announced.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Ozzy Osbourne and
A Tribe Called Quest, NPR reports. .
Ozzy Osbourne and
A Tribe Called Quest, NPR reports. .
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame Foundation, issued a
statement about this year's inductees.
Rock & Roll is an ever-evolving
amalgam of sounds that impacts
culture and moves generations, John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, via NPR.
This diverse group of inductees
each broke down musical barriers
and influenced countless artists
that followed in their footsteps, John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, via NPR.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Ahmet Ertegun Award, which honors those
who don't perform music but have made an impact
in the industry, will go to Suzanne de Passe.
The induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 19 and will stream live on Disney+.
It will be available to view on Hulu the following
day and will also air on ABC at a later date.
It will be available to view on Hulu the following
day and will also air on ABC at a later date
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Beloved 'Golden Bachelor' couple Gerry Turner and Teresa Nist are sadly calling it quits. Just three months after tying the knot in an ABC special in January, the couple, whose engagement was revealed in Nov, announced they are getting a divorce. They sat down with 'Good Morning America' to reveal their decision but offered little to an audience that will want to know what happened after witnessing their inspiring later-in-life love story unfold.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 02:04Published
Ford Orders Recall , Over Potential SUV Gas Leak.
ABC reports that Ford has ordered
a recall for almost 43,000 small SUVs
due to a potential risk of fire. .
The recall impacts some Bronco
Sport SUVs from 2022 and 2023,
as well as 2022's Escape SUVs. .
According to Ford, gasoline can leak from
fuel injectors near or onto hot engine surfaces,
which increases the risk of starting fires.
The recall does not reportedly include repairing
any potential fuel leak, which the company
claims only impacts about 1% of their SUVs.
ABC reports that Michael Brooks, executive director
of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety,
has called Ford's decision a "Band-aid type recall.".
Brooks claims that even a 1% failure
rate is high and places drivers
at potential risk for a crash.
The NHTSA said that it lacks legal
authority to pre-approve recall fixes. .
The agency added that it would, "closely track their performance using field data.".
However, Brooks suggests that Congress
needs to change laws so that the NHTSA can , "require something more than the rubber
stamp that NHTSA is currently deploying.”.
That is a post-remedy inquiry
that won't make the fixes better,
and further stretches out the process
and leaves consumers in limbo. , Michael Brooks, executive director of the
nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, via ABC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
US Life Expectancy on the Rise , Following Pandemic Decline, CDC Report Says.
According to the latest federal
mortality data, life expectancy in
the United States increased in 2022. .
The report published by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) raised life expectancy to 77.5 years.
The report published by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) raised life expectancy to 77.5 years.
The positive change comes after two
years of decline following the pandemic.
The positive change comes after two
years of decline following the pandemic.
While life expectancy has yet to reach
pre-pandemic levels, 2022 showed
an increase of 1.1 years compared to 2021.
2022 ended up recording 3.27 million
deaths in the U.S., which was
184,374 fewer deaths than the year before.
According to the report, heart disease
and cancer remained the two most
prevalent causes of death in the U.S. .
According to the report, heart disease
and cancer remained the two most
prevalent causes of death in the U.S. .
COVID-19 dropped to fourth on
the list, and unintentional injuries
took over the number three spot.
COVID-19 dropped to fourth on
the list, and unintentional injuries
took over the number three spot.
ABC reports that both males and
females saw approximately the same
increase in life expectancy from 2021 to 2022.
Over the same period of time,
the death rate decreased
for nearly every age group. .
Another NCHS report found that rates of
drug overdose deaths from synthetic opioids
increased by 4.1% between 2021 and 2022.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Phase One Investigative Maui Wildfire Report , to Be Released Next Month.
ABC reports that seven months after deadly
wildfires devastated Maui, an investigative
report will be released on April 17, 2024.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez commissioned the
Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) to conduct an
independent investigation alongside several local agencies.
The first phase of the investigation is meant
to analyze how the disaster unfolded during
the first 24 to 72 hours, as well as its aftermath. .
The report also includes
a comprehensive timeline of events. .
According to the AG's office, the FSRI research
team ran into unexpected delays while
gathering information critical to their review. .
In November of 2023, subpoenas were served to the
Maui Emergency Management Agency, the County
of Maui Department of Public Works and the
County of Maui Department of Water Supply.
Those subpoenas demanded materials relevant
to the investigation, including documents and photos, as well as video and audio recordings.
Being able to review all of the data,
which is extensive, has a tremendous
impact on the comprehensive analysis
of the fire incident and our
recommendations to make Hawaiʻi
a safer place to live, work and play, Steve Kerber, Ph.D., PE, vice president and executive director of FSRI, via ABC.
An analysis of this magnitude cannot be
rushed, and we must allow for the time
needed to make sure this investigation,
based on science, is done correctly, Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General, via ABC.
I am confident that the Phase One
report will provide some answers
to the questions surrounding
the tragic wildfire incident, Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General, via ABC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
March Retail Sales , Exceeded Expectations.
New Commerce Department data surprised
some analysts on April 15, 'The Hill' reports. .
The agency's latest estimates indicate
that March retail sales increased by 0.7%.
They were only expected
to rise 0.3% last month.
While sales exceeded estimates for March, the jump
was still below the 0.9% increase in February.
Compared to the same time last year, total sales
for the first three months of 2024 were up 2.1%.
On April 10, the Labor Department released data showing that inflation rose last month. .
The consumer price index (CPI)
increased 0.4% in March and 3.5% annually.
In February, consumer prices
increased 3.2% year-over-year. .
Still, the newest Commerce Department data suggests that Americans continue to spend despite prolonged inflation, 'The Hill' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Data Shows , US Wages Falling , at a 'Striking' Pace.
Fox News reports that wage growth
in the United States has slowed
significantly over the past year. .
According to new data from Indeed,
wage growth is beginning
to near pre-pandemic levels. .
Indeed's wage tracker showed that salaries have had
a marked drop since January 2022, suggesting that
employers are seeing less competition for new hires.
The pace of deceleration
is striking. Posted wage growth
has fallen by almost 3 percentage
points over the past year, Nick Bunker, Indeed labor economist, via Fox News.
Fox News reports that the most pronounced
deceleration was found in low-wage sectors. .
Given the huge run-up in posted
wages for those sectors, wage growth
is still above its pre-pandemic pace.
How long this will last is uncertain, Nick Bunker, Indeed labor economist, via Fox News.
After remaining historically tight throughout the last
year, the labor market is expected to continue slowing
in the coming months amid elevated interest rates.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 11 times in an attempt to slow down inflation and cool the labor market.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 11 times in an attempt to slow down inflation and cool the labor market.
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
Despite this, job growth has
remained resilient, with employers
adding 275,000 jobs in February. .
At the same time, Labor Department
data shows that the unemployment
rate for the month also rose to 3.9%.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Labor Market Remains Strong as, Unemployment Claims , Continue to Fall.
ABC reports that the number of applications for
unemployment in the United States fell sharply
last week, signaling a..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US Job Market , Stays Strong as Applications for , Jobless Benefits Inch Lower.
ABC reports that slightly fewer people in the United States
applied for jobless claims last week, indicating that..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published