BLS

America’s productivity jumped from July through September of 2017 according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Output-per-labor-hour increased 3.0 percent on an annualized basis, doubling the prior quarter’s pace.  This jump is the best quarterly improvement since the third quarter of 2014.  Additionally, unit labor costs rose as employee compensation

Headline figures were mixed on Friday when the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their employment report.  According to the establishment survey, our economy lost 33,000 jobs to end the third quarter of 2017.  However, the household survey estimates the unemployment rate declined to the lowest level since January 2001, 4.2 percent from 4.3 percent in August.   The BL

Prices paid by producers and wholesalers declined in July 2017 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Falling 0.1 percent in the period, this is the first contraction since August of last year.  In addition to monthly weakness, the year-over-year statistic slowed for a second consecutive month to 1.9 percent from 2.0 percent in June.