GET DAILY REPORT FREE
US job openings at near record, adding to price pressures
U.S. businesses posted a near-record level of open jobs in January, a trend that has helped push up worker pay and added to inflationary pressures in the U.S. economy.
Biden to ban Russian oil imports over Ukraine invasion
President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia’s economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter, the Associated Press reports.
US adds 678,000 jobs in February, another sign of economic health
U.S. employers added a robust 678,000 jobs in February, another gain that underscores the economy’s solid health as the omicron wave fades and more Americans venture out to spend at restaurants, shops and hotels despite surging inflation.
Louisiana’s unemployment rate falls to 5.5% in 2021 from 8.7% in 2020
The unemployment rate in Louisiana declined by 3.2 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020, the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today.
The...
Stocks tumble, oil prices soar after Russian attack on Ukraine
Stocks tumbled worldwide this morning after Russia’s attack against Ukraine sent fear coursing through markets and upped the pressure on the high inflation already squeezing the global economy.
Pandemic teaching LSU economics students, professors a thing or two
The unusual economy brought about by the pandemic is creating a greater interest in economics among students at LSU and other schools around the country and providing professors with lots of fresh teaching material.
Small businesses bearing brunt of supply chain issues, inflation
Small businesses are bearing the brunt of supply chain pressures and rising prices, with many tapping their cash reserves or taking on debt just...
Baton Rouge foreclosure filings up nearly 111% from a year ago
The Baton Rouge metro area ranked 27th in the nation for the proportion of properties with foreclosure activity in January, according to ATTOM, which licenses foreclosure data.
With U.S. now energy independent, higher oil prices affect economy differently
For decades, politicians have talked about the U.S. achieving energy independence, a seemingly elusive goal of producing enough fuels to avoid relying on the rest of the world to fill up gas tanks and keep electricity flowing.
Weekly US jobless claims rise, but remain historically low
Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose last week but remain near historically low levels, reflecting relatively few layoffs across the economy.
Fed planning faster rate hikes if inflation doesn’t slow
Federal Reserve policymakers concluded last month that they would accelerate their tightening of credit if inflation failed to slow in the coming months.
Most officials...
Capital Region unemployment rate dips to another record low
Job postings in the Baton Rouge metro area outnumber unemployed workers more than 2-to-1, according to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s latest economic indicator report examining the region’s recovery from the pandemic-driven recession.
Rising interest rates might not mean rising savings
The Federal Reserve plans to raise interest rates in March, usually meaning bank customers will make more on their deposits. But U.S. banks have little incentive to increase the interest they pay on deposits.
What rapid wage growth means for the economy going forward
The startlingly rapid pace of job creation in January captured all the headlines Friday. But other details contain the biggest implications for markets in...
US employers shrug off omicron, add 467,000 jobs in January
U.S. employers added a burst of 467,000 jobs in January despite a wave of omicron infections that sickened millions of workers, kept many consumers at home and left businesses from restaurants to manufacturers short-staffed.
January US jobs report likely to be a ‘hot mess,’ analysts warn
Analysts are using terms like “hot mess” to describe their expectations for the federal jobs report set for release Friday morning.
Measurement issues and data...
US jobless claims fall for second straight week
After three consecutive weeks of unemployment claims that appeared to rise in tandem with omicron, fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits for the second...
Baton Rouge metro unemployment rate lowest on record
The unemployment rate for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area fell to 3.2% in December compared to 3.5% in November, according to preliminary estimates the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
US weekly jobless claims fall for the first time in a month
Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week following three straight increases amid a surge in cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant.
Louisiana unemployment rate falls to 4.8% in December
The unemployment rate for December 2021 dropped in 42 states and the District of Columbia, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics today.
