Summary Box: Rising pink slips the biggest obstacle to a lasting economic recoveryOctober 2nd, 2009 Summary Box: Another cruel month for jobseekersRISING PINK SLIPS: Employers cut 263,000 jobs in September, after a reduction of 201,000 in August. Even though the economy is in a recovery, companies are still sticking with cost cutting.
Summary Box: Jobs, manufacturing data show recovery off to bumpy start; modest rebound likelyOctober 1st, 2009 Summary Box: Jobs, manufacturing data disappointCONSUMERS: Consumer spending surged 1.3 percent in August, due partly to the now-ended Cash for Clunkers program. But incomes posted a lackluster 0.2 percent gain, and the number of newly laid-off workers rose more than expected to 551,000 last week.
Nike Inc. first-quarter results, coming Tuesday, expected to showSeptember 30th, 2009 Earnings Preview: Nike Inc.PORTLAND, Ore. — Nike Inc.
Summary Box: Economic recovery in progress after recession eased in spring; bumpy road aheadSeptember 30th, 2009 Summary Box: Economic recovery looks bumpyTHE WAY WE WERE: The economy contracted at a pace of 0.7 percent in the second quarter, a vast improvement from the first three months of this year, when the economy shrank at a pace of 6.4 percent, the biggest downhill slide in nearly three decades. THE RECOVERY PHASE: Many analysts predict the economy returned to growth in the just-ended third quarter at a pace of at least 3 percent.
Summary Box: Bumpy recovery expected as 2 economic reports come in lower than expectedSeptember 25th, 2009 Summary Box: Durable goods, homes data disappointDISAPPOINTING REPORTS: Orders for autos, appliances and other goods that are expected to last at least three years dropped 2.4 percent in August, defying economists' estimates of a 0.5 percent gain. Sales of new homes inched up 0.7 percent, also less than forecast.
Summary Box: Unemployment rate jumps to 26-year high, though job cuts slowSeptember 4th, 2009 Summary Box: Unemployment reaches 26-year highTHE BAD NEWS: The jobless rate jumped to 9.7 percent in August, the Labor Department said Friday, from 9.4 percent in July. That's the highest rate since June 1983.
Summary Box: New jobless claims dip less than expected, weak labor market may hinder recoverySeptember 3rd, 2009 Summary Box: Jobless claims dip less than expectedJOBLESS CLAIMS ELEVATED: The Labor Department said the number of laid-off workers applying for benefits dipped to 570,000 from an upwardly revised 574,000 the previous week. The number of Americans continuing to receive benefits rose unexpectedly to 6.23 million.
Summary Box: Productivity, factory orders increase in latest hopeful signs of recession's endSeptember 2nd, 2009 Summary Box: Productivity, factory orders riseMORE STRONG NUMBERS: Productivity in the second quarter posted its best showing since 2003, while cost-cutting by companies pushed labor costs down by the most in nine years. A separate report showed factory orders climbed in July, the fifth gain in six months.
Summary Box: Manufacturing, housing data boost recovery hopes, consumers are the keySeptember 1st, 2009 Summary Box: Manufacturing, housing data improveMANUFACTURING GROWTH: The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index showed growth in the sector in August for the first time in 19 months, posting the highest number since June 2007. New customer orders jumped to a level not seen since December 2004.
Summary Box: Incomes flat in July but spending rises modestly with help of Cash for ClunkersAugust 28th, 2009 Summary Box: Incomes flat but spending up modestlySTAGNANT INCOMES: Household income failed to grow last month as consumer spending edged up 0.2 percent, aided by the now-ended Cash for Clunkers program. SPENDING CONCERNS: Personal incomes have fallen or remained unchanged in eight of the past 10 months.
Summary Box: Plunge in GDP slows in spring while jobless claims dip slightly last weekAugust 27th, 2009 Summary Box: Economists encouraged by GDP activityECONOMY SHRINKS: The gross domestic product, the total output of goods and services, dropped at an annual rate of 1 percent in the April-June quarter. The number of newly laid-off workers filing for unemployment benefits dropped slightly to 570,000 last week.
Summary Box: Consumer sentiment improves, while home prices rise for first time in 3 yearsAugust 25th, 2009 Summary Box: Consumer sentiment, home prices upWHAT HAPPENED?: Consumer confidence improved more than expected in August, and a nationwide gauge of home prices rose for the first time in three years, a sign the housing sector is stabilizing. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?: Improved consumer sentiment and higher home prices could mean consumers will spend more in the coming months, providing a much-needed boost to the economy.
Summary Box: Consumer prices down over past year by biggest amount in nearly 6 decadesAugust 14th, 2009 Summary Box: Consumer inflation a no-show in JulyWHAT HAPPENED?: Consumer prices were unchanged in July, and over the past 12 months they have fallen 2.1 percent — the sharpest annual decline since a similar drop in the period ending in January 1950. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?: The recession and falling energy prices made inflation nonexistent — welcome news for consumers struggling with high unemployment, diminished savings and falling home values.
Summary Box: Retail sales drop unexpectedly as consumers keep wallets closedAugust 13th, 2009 Summary Box: Unexpected drop in retail salesWHAT HAPPENED?: Retail sales fell unexpectedly in July, while first-time claims for jobless benefits rose slightly last week. The reports raised concerns about the ability of consumers to fuel a broad economic recovery.
This week, investors look for signs of a strong consumer before jumping back into stocksJune 21st, 2009 What are investors waiting for? Consumers.NEW YORK — Americans may have poured money back into stocks this year, but market watchers worry that they aren't spending enough on other things — like clothes, cars and computers. This week, the average U.S.
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