THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION — APRIL 2021
Economic Indicators
Inflation Is Here. What Now?
Prices are rising fast, in ways that seem temporary, yet this could change expectations in ways that are self-reinforcing.
Inflation speeds up in April as consumer prices leap 4.2%, fastest since 2008
The Consumer Price Index rise for April from a year earlier was the sharpest since September 2008.
Jump in Consumer Prices Raises Stakes in Inflation Debate
The increase in the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index was well above forecasts. A top Fed official acknowledged the surprise but said, “This is one data point.”
Where have all the low-wage workers gone?
There’s a good chance that you’ve been to your local grocery store or stopped by your favorite fast food location and noticed signs for hiring bonuses, but why aren't more workers signing up?
Minding the Output Gap: What Is Potential GDP and Why Does It Matter? | St. Louis Fed
What Is potential GDP?
Falling stocks, rising prices, and inflation concerns (feat. fried chicken sandwiches) - Robinhood Snacks
It's going Dow... and Wall Street yelled "timber" (thanks, Ke$ha). The industrials-heavy Dow index fell 1.4% yesterday, after closing last week...
Inflation Is Rising Because the Economy Is Weird
Used car prices jumped 10% in April and accounted for more than a third of the monthly increase in consumer prices
Prices | Restaurant-ing through history
Restaurant prices in the 19th century (followed by 20th, below) Note: Until the mid-19th century prices were often quoted in shillings and pence, or in Spanish dollars. One Spanish bit = 12½¢; One …
CPI Home : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
From Cheese to Ubers, Prices Are Rising
Groceries, commodities, and more are experiencing temporary post-pandemic inflation
April jobs report big whiff us economy
U.S. Economy’s Strong Start Signals a Stellar Year
Relief checks drove consumer spending on goods in the first quarter. Pent-up demand for services may be the key going forward.
Inflation’s Mixed Basket: 7 Things That Will Cost You More—And 3 That Will Cost You Less—In The Covid Recovery Economy
Why you need to stock up on wine, used cars, diapers and potted plants now.
US recovery from pandemic recession is showing momentum
Powered by consumers and fueled by government aid, the U.S. economy is achieving a remarkably fast recovery from the recession that ripped through the nation last year on the heels of the coronavirus and cost tens of millions of Americans their jobs and businesses. The number of people seeking unemployment aid — a rough reflection of layoffs — last week reached its lowest point since the pandemic struck. Economists say that widespread vaccinations and declining viral cases, the reopening of more businesses, a huge infusion of federal aid and healthy job gains should help sustain steady growth.
Consumer-fueled economy pushes GDP to 6.4% first-quarter gain
The gross domestic product data marked the second-fastest pace for growth since the second quarter of 2003.
What we get wrong about machines taking our jobs
For better or for worse, labor-saving tech can actually lead to more work.
Ante rises in fight for workers
Potential jobs candidates are met by a 7-foot robot of embossed steel, aluminum and plastic upon entering industrial automation and light assembly firm Morrell Group. A soldier, of sorts, reminiscent of the red-armored Master Chief from the popular Xbox video game Halo. But instead of battling for…
Rising prices, inflation, and pricier peanut butter... through the lens of P&G's earnings - Robinhood Snacks
Charmin, Tide, Gillette, Swiffer... Your pandemic grocery list = Procter & Gamble's pandemic winners list. In October, the consumer packaged...
Jobless claims rise in Michigan, likely linked to chip shortages
Despite new U.S. jobless claims reaching the lowest point since the pandemic began more than a year ago, claims in Michigan rose last week.
For the week ending April 17 in Michigan, 21,861 filed new unemployment claims, up from 16,470 the week prior.
Nationally, 547,000 filed new claims last…
How Not to Get Fooled by the New Inflation Numbers
Today’s data reflects backward-looking information, which is not necessarily a sign of what’s ahead.
Unemployment Is High. Why Are Businesses Struggling to Hire?
Health concerns, expanded jobless benefits and still being needed at home are among the reasons would-be workers might be staying away.
Consumer Prices Rise More Than Expected in March
So should we be worried about inflation? Many experts say no.
Data USA
The most comprehensive visualization of U.S. public data. Data USA provides an open, easy-to-use platform that turns data into knowledge.
U.S. producer prices increased by more than forecast in March
U.S. producer prices climbed more than forecast last month in a broad advance, indicating inflationary pressures continue to build across the nation's economy.The producer price index for final demand increased 1 percent in March from the prior month after a 0.5 percent gain in February, the Labor…
Help wanted: Variety of factors at play as small businesses, restaurants struggle to add staff
If you're out and about and noticing "Now hiring!" signs at every turn, there's a reason: Small businesses are having issues staffing up in the COVID-19 pandemic era.A combination of extended unemployment benefits, fears about contracting the coronavirus in the workplace and a lack of stability in…
March hiring accelerated to 916K, yet many jobs remain lost
WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers unleashed a burst of hiring in March, adding 916,000 jobs in a sign that a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession is taking hold as vaccinations...
Is Inflation on the Horizon for the U.S. Economy? | St. Louis Fed
U.S. inflation has generally been below the Fed’s 2% target since 2012. St. Louis Fed President James Bullard discusses reasons inflation could move somewhat higher over the next year or so.
Detroit unemployment rate won't fall to pre-pandemic levels until 2025, and other economic takeaways
Detroit's unemployment rate won't get back to pre-pandemic levels again until 2025. That's the latest finding from the City of Detroit-University Economic Analysis Partnership that produces job and wage data with support from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State…
How Global Health and Wealth Has Changed Over Two Centuries
This unique animated visualization uses health and wealth measurements to chart the evolution of countries over time.