New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of September 20, 2014

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on September 20, 2014:

Predicted: 300,000
Actual: 293,000

Last Week (Revised): 281,000

The above figures represent the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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Employment Situation Report for August 2014

The Employment Situation report for August 2014 was released by The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

Unemployment Rate
Predicted: 6.1%
Actual: 6.1%

Non-farm Payrolls (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +230,000
Actual: +142,000

Average Hourly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +0.2%
Actual: 0.2%

Average Workweek
Predicted: 34.5 hrs
Actual: 34.5 hrs

Economist, academics, central bankers and investors pay very close attention to the monthly Employment Situation report as it offers penetrating insight as to the current and near-future state of the overall U.S. economy. If a) Americans are earning more money and b) the economy is creating new jobs, this typically translates to more money being pumped into the economy (and vice versa.)

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Department of Labor report.

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of August 30, 2014

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on August 30, 2014:

Predicted: 300,000
Actual: 302,000

Last Week (Revised): 298,000

The above figures represent the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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U.S. Factory Orders Report for July 2014

The U.S. Census Bureau this morning released their report on manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories & Orders -- also known as Factory Orders -- for July 2014:

Predicted: +10.9%
Actual: +10.5%

The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in orders for both durable and nondurable goods made by from U.S. manufacturers. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Census Bureau report.

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ISM Manufacturing Index for August 2014

Earlier today, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) released their Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) for August 2014:

Predicted: 56.8%
Actual: 59.0%

Every month, the ISM surveys purchasing and supply executives at hundreds of companies across the country who are involved in manufacturing in some form. The resulting index is watched closely by academics, economists and investors because manufacturing accounts for about 12% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The PMI is a reliable barometer of U.S. manufacturing: A PMI above 50% implies that U.S. manufacturing expanded during the month specified, while a reading below 50% implies that the factory sector contracted.

Last month, the PMI was 57.1%.

The following is a sampling of quotes from a diverse pool of U.S. manufacturers:

"...'Business is looking good for food manufacturing. Packaging materials prices are staying in check, minimum wage is up a bit, but manageable.'
(Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

    'The commercial building business is good, our business is up.'
(Fabricated Metal Products)

    'Overall business conditions are flat. World issues taking a toll on business. Consumers are cutting back on spending.'
(Transportation Equipment)

    'Overall business is improving. Order backlog is increasing. Quotes are increasing. Much more positive outlook in our sector.'
(Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)

    'Business in the energy sector continues to remain very robust with no signs of backing off in the near future.'
(Computer & Electronic Products)

    'Demand in the United States is consistent and geopolitics remain a concern.'
(Chemical Products)

    'International markets are slower due to Euro holidays, political unrest and slowing Chinese markets. North American business off slightly.'
(Wood Products)

    'Business is strong. Labor is becoming a difficult issue.'
(Furniture & Related Products)

    'Demand is strong. Numbers are up over last year.'
(Machinery)

    'Strongest month in years. Business is solid...Awesome!'
(Primary Metals)..."

Click here to view the complete ISM report.

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