Monthly Archives: March 2013
NRA Robocalls Newtown residents?
According to news reports some moron at the National Rifle Association thought it was either a good idea, or maybe just funny, to make robocalls to residents of Newtown, Connecticut site of the infamous Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December, and the states two senators were not amused.
- NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy posted a letter to NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre demanding his organization stop making the calls.
Saying the calls “absolutely beyond the pale,” the two Democratic senators went further declaring the calls, which contained political messages attacking gun control, “open a wound that these families are still trying hard to heal.”
“You’d think [the NRA] could have scrubbed the list [of Newtown residents], just to be decent,” Newtown resident Tom Maurath told HuffPost. “Instead, you’re making an unsolicited call with no opt-out that my children could answer.”
Senator Blumenthal also reportedly wrote a blog post about the robocalls for Think Progress, saying, “NRA leadership demonstrated yet again last week just how low they are willing to go in their unconscionable effort to block any and all common sense, life saving gun violence legislation.”
Perhaps the NRA has overplayed its hand and enough people will take this latest affront to common decency as the opportunity to slap the group and its followers with real gun control – but I doubt it, the Democratic leadership in the Senate lacks any such courage.
Image
Just a thought …
This applies to not choosing to believe as well. There’s a reason the Founding Fathers were inspired to place a separation of church and state in the First Amendment, it was to prevent religious beliefs, or teachings, from being forced on the general public in the form of laws. Thus, if limiting same sex marriage is based on religious beliefs, it’s not Constitutional.
Sometimes the hard part about living in a country with a Constitution like ours is being willing to protect and defend the rights of others to have the inalienable, God given right to choose how they will live their lives. In short, if you don’t mind religions telling other citizens – through the civil government – how to live their lives, I’m sure you won’t mind when other citizens – through that same civil government – start telling you how to worship.
If slaves were able to keep and bear arms?
This is why the battle over “gun rights” is so important; just a few short months ago a major gun advocate claimed “if African Americans had been given the right to bear arms, slavery might not have been a chapter in our history.”
One more “educated” gun enthusiast
Larry Ward, then the chairman of the strange “Gun Appreciation Day”, had appeared on CNN trying to defend his nationwide gun rally.
Ward insisted “Gun Appreciation Day”, which called on gun activists across the nation to rally in support of the “right to bear arms” and against President Barack Obama’s “post-Sandy Hook assault on gun rights,” was held on 19 Jan 13, because it actually was honoring “the legacy of Dr. King.”
Was he seriously saying the famed civil rights leader, who was gunned down on a hotel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee would be “honored” to have gun nuts holding a rally on his birthday, just over a month after 20 first graders were massacred in their class room with an assault rifle? That’s like saying today’s state’s rights advocates actually “honor the legacy of the Abraham Lincoln”.
“We are looking for a peaceful protest,” Ward said.
Yeah a peaceful protest full of people packing all kinds of firearms – including assault rifles – and carrying signs with misspelled slogans. A peaceful protest with weapons, that’s as much an oxymoronic statement as having an intelligent, level-headed discussion with far-right gun advocates.
Ward continued, “I think Martin Luther King, Jr. would agree with me if he were alive today that if African Americans had been given the right to keep and bear arms from day one of the country’s founding, perhaps slavery might not have been a chapter in our history.”
That’s probably the single most ignorant statement anyone on the right has made regarding the right to bear arms, bar absolutely none, and the amazing thing with these lunatics is their complete lack of historical understanding and factual knowledge. Ward’s an idiot plain and simple.
Slavery began in this nation long before the constitutional guarantee of the Second Amendment was argued in Philadelphia when the first slaves arrived in Jamestown, brought by Dutch traders, not long after that first English colony was established.
If Ward were to read some other part of the Constitution besides the Second Amendment he might understand not only were slaves not citizens, and thus weren’t protected by the “right to bear arms”, they were only counted as 3/5 of a person for purposes of the national census; but of course Ward doesn’t know this, because he’s a moron.
So, Mr. Ward, clearly you’re an idiot. You don’t understand the Second Amendment and you clearly don’t understand your history. You’re an ignoramus, which makes you and others like you dangerous. If the uber-right’s really concerned about its right to bear arms you’re not the sort of person who should be the face of the argument.
It’s worth noting that five people were shot attending “gun appreciation day” events.
If Not Now, When?
I’m sitting here wondering what kind of bloody massacre will happen in this country before members of Congress do the right thing?
How many first graders will have to have their bodies ripped into shreds in their classrooms before Congress decides some weapons and magazines should not be generally available?
There are times when I’m ashamed of those who serve in Washington, and this is definitely one of those times.
Shame on Congress, but especially shame on the Democratic leadership for not putting up a fight. Shame on Senator Harry Reid, and the other weak kneed members of the Senate (Democratic and Republican); you’re cowards and don’t deserve the high honor to serve.
If you’re not going to ever fight the tough fights, step down and let someone step up who will, as Lawrence O’Donnell once said, “Some things are worth fighting for, even if you lose.”
Private Sector is Doing Fine – 15 Mar 13 Edition
During the 2012 Presidential campaign President Obama said, “The private sector is doing fine,” which was immediately jumped on by his erstwhile opponent Republican Tea Party (GOTP) 2012 presidential footnote, Willard Mitt Romney, who replied, “I think he’s really defining what it means to be out of touch with reality.”
Now of course we know what happened in November, Romney had his political head handed to him on a plate, and the GOTP lost seats in both the House and the Senate, and conservatives still continue to claim the economy is failing. Some people either don’t get it, or won’t get it.
Clearly the economy is in recovery and the following indicators show the private sector is indeed “doing fine”, and all the info – by-the-way – comes from FOX Business:
First Quarter reported earnings: Cisco reported $11.9 billion, Disney reported $11.3 billion, FedEx posted $10.79 billion, Microsoft reported $16 billion, and Procter & Gamble reported $20.7 billion
In the second quarter the following earnings were reported by the private sector: Amazon.com reported $12.8 billion, AT&T reported $31.6 billion, Bank of America reported $22.2 billion, Best Buy reported $10.55 billion, Cisco reported $12.1 billion, Citigroup reported $18.4 billion, Coca-Cola reported $13.09 billion, Dell reported $14.5 billion, EBay reported $3.4 billion, Facebook reported $1.2 billion, Google reported $12.21 billion, IBM reported $25.8 billion, Intel reported $13.5 billion, Johnson & Johnson reported $16.5 billion, Macy’s reported $6.12 billion, McDonald’s reported $6.92 billion, Microsoft reported $21.5 billion, Morgan Stanley reported $7 billion, Nike reported $5.96 billion, Oracle reported $9.1 billion, Pfizer reported $15.1 billion, Procter & Gamble reported $20.2 billion, Travelers reported $6.36 billion, United Parcel Service (UPS) reported $13.4 billion, Verizon reported $28.6 billion and Yahoo reported $1.08 billion
Following are third quarter earnings: 3M reported $7.5 billion, American Express reported $7.9 billion, AT&T reported $31.5 billion, Bank of America reported $20.4 billion, Best Buy reported $10.75 billion, Boeing reported $20 billion, Caterpillar reported $16.45 billion, Citigroup reported $19.4 billion, Coca-Cola reported $12.34 billion, Dell reported $13.7 billion, Goldman Sachs reported $8.35 billion, Google reported $11.3 billion, Hewlett-Packard reported $29.7 billion, IBM reported $24.7 billion, Intel reported $13.5 billion, Johnson & Johnson reported $17.1 billion, J.P. Morgan Chase reported $25.9 billion, McDonald’s reported $7.2 billion, Merck reported $11.49 billion, Morgan Stanley reported $7.6 billion, Pfizer’s reported $14 billion, Procter & Gamble posted $22.18 billion, Research in Motion reported $2.73 billion, Travelers reported $6.51, Texas Instruments reported $3.39 billion, United Parcel Service reported $13.07 billion, Wal-Mart reported $113.2 billion, Wells Fargo reported $21.2 billion and Yahoo reported $1.09 billion
Following are fourth quarter earnings: 3M reported $7.4 billion, Alcoa reported $5.9 billion, Amazon.com reported $21.27 billion, American Express reported $8.1 billion, Apple reported $36 billion, Bank of America reported $19.61 billion, Boeing posted $22.3 billion, Caterpillar reported $16.1 billion, Cisco reported $11.7 billion, Citigroup reported $18.7 billion, Coca-Cola reported $11.46 billion, Dell reported $14.3 billion, eBay reported $4 billion, ExxonMobil reported $115.17 billion, Facebook reported $1.59 billion, Goldman Sachs reported $9.24 billion, Hewlett-Packard reported $30 billion, Intel reported $13.5 billion, Johnson & Johnson posted $17.6 billion, J.P. Morgan Chase reported $24.4 billion, McDonald’s reported $6.95 billion, Merck reported $11.74 billion, Morgan Stanley reported $7.5 billion, News Corp. reported $8.4 billion, Pfizer reported $15.1 billion, Travelers posted $6.48 billion, United Technologies posted $16.4 billion, United Parcel Service (UPS) reported $14.57 billion, Walt Disney reported $10.78 billion, Wells Fargo reported $21.9 billion, Yahoo posted $1.22 billion,
Auto Sales:
GM reported U.S. auto sales rose 4.9% in December from the same time in 2011 as all four of its brands increased their sales. The automaker said it sold 245,733 vehicles in December, up from 234,351 a year earlier and 32% above November’s total of 186,505. General Motors bought back 200 million shares of its stock at $27.50 a share from the U.S. Treasury Department in a $5.5 billion deal. The government plans to sell its remaining 300 million shares over the next 12 to 15 months.
Ford reported its cars, utilities and trucks segments all reported sales gains in 2012 with the brand ending the year with 2,168,015 vehicles sold. The automaker posted its best December sales since 2006 and overall sales increased 2% year over year that month.
Chrysler reported its sales increased 10% in December compared to the same month in 2011 and the strongest December sales in five years. The automaker also reported its full-year sales increased 21%.
Building Permits:
The Commerce Department reported that building permits rose 6.8% to a rate of 812,000, the highest level in four years.
Permits to build new homes rose 1.8% to an annualized rate of 925,000, better than the 915,000 Wall Street anticipated, and the highest since 2008.
Chicago PMI Gauge:
The Chicago PMI gauge ticked up to 50.4 in November from 49.9 in October. Readings above 50 indicate expansion while those below 50 indicate contraction.
Consumer Confidence:
The Conference Board’s gauge of consumer confidence rose to 65.9 in July from 62.7 in June, better than the 61.5 economists expected.
The Conference Board’s reading on consumer confidence rose to 70.3 in September from an upwardly revised 61.3 in August, topping estimates for a reading of 63. The reading was the highest since February.
The Conference Board’s gauge of consumer confidence rose in November to 73.7 from 73.1 in October, topping estimates of 73 and marking the highest level since February 2008.
The Conference Board’s gauge of U.S. consumer confidence rose to 69.6 in February from January, topping economists’ estimates of 61 and marking the highest reading since November.
Consumer Sentiment:
The consumer sentiment reading of the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey showed consumer sentiment increased to 73.6 in early August from July’s final reading of 72.3. The August preliminary reading topped forecasts for an increase to 72.4 and marked the highest level since May.
A final reading on consumer sentiment for the month of August checked in at 74.3, higher than a preliminary reading of 73.6, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan.
A preliminary reading on consumer sentiment for the month of October checked in at 83.1, up from a September reading of 78.3 and marking the highest reading since September 2007, according to a report from Reuters and the University of Michigan. Economists were expecting sentiment to decrease to 78.
A reading on consumer sentiment for early November rose to 84.9 from 82.6 in October, topping expectations for a reading of 83. The reading was the highest since July 2007.
A final reading on U.S. consumer sentiment came in at 73.8 for the month of January, up from a preliminary reading of 71.3 and higher than the 71.5 expected, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan.
A preliminary reading on U.S. consumer sentiment from Reuters and the University of Michigan checked in at 76.3 for February from 73.8 in January, easily topping expectations of 74.8.
Consumer spending:
Consumer spending edged up 0.4% in November from October, a slightly bigger increase than the 0.3% economists forecast. Personal income climbed 0.6%, its biggest increase since February, and also higher than the 0.3% expected.
Durable Goods:
The Commerce Department reports orders for long-lasting goods climbed 4.6% in December from November, significantly outpacing estimates of a 1.8% increase. Excluding the transportation segment, orders were up 1.3%, topping estimates of a 0.7% increase.
Economy Expanding:
The U.S. economy expanded at a ‘measured pace’ in recent weeks, according to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, an anecdotal account of conditions across the 12 Fed districts. The report said most districts experienced “modest improvements” in hiring activity, while consumer spending grew at a “moderate pace” and manufacturing weakened. Some districts also reported weakness as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the central bank said.
Export Prices:
U.S. export prices rose 0.8% in September from August, coming in ahead of estimates of 0.4%.
The Labor Department reports export prices rose 0.8%, a bigger rise than the 0.3% forecast.
Gross Domestic Product:
A second reading on U.S. gross domestic product showed the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 1.7% in the second quarter, in line with economists’ estimates and faster than an initial estimate of 1.5%.
A final reading on U.S. gross domestic product showed the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 3.1% in the third quarter, up from a previous reading of 2.7%, and higher than the 2.8% economists were expecting.
A second reading on U.S. gross domestic product showed the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2012, up from an initial estimate of a 0.1% contraction, but below the 0.5% growth expected.
Home Prices:
Home prices in 20 major U.S. metropolitan areas climbed 2.2% in May from the month before on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, according the S&P/Case-Shiller report. That came in stronger than the 1.5% gain economists expected.
The S&P/Case-Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas shows home prices rose 2.3% in June from May on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, a bigger gain than the 1.6% expected. Prices were up 0.5% from the same period a year earlier in the first increase since September 2010.
The S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas shows home prices rose 1.6% in July from June on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. Prices were up 1.2% from a year ago, more than the 1% expected.
Home prices in 20 major U.S. metropolitan areas climbed 0.3% in September from August on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, according to the closely-watched S&P/Case-Shiller report. Economists expected a slightly larger increase of 0.5%. Prices were up 3% from the year prior.
The S&P/Case-Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas shows home prices rose 0.2% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis in December, compared with the 0.2% fall economists were expecting. Prices were up 6.8% from a year ago, the biggest year-on-year increase since July 2006.
Home Sales (existing homes):
Sales of existing homes rose 2.3% in July from June to an annualized rate of 4.47 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Existing home sales rose 7.8% in August from July to an annualized rate of 4.82 million units, topping estimates of a 4.55-million unit rate and marking the fastest pace since May 2010.
Existing home sales rose 2.1% in October from September to a 4.79-million unit annualized rate, coming in slightly ahead of estimates of a 4.75-million unit annualized rate, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Contracts to buy previously-owned homes rose 5.2% in October from September, a much bigger jump than the 0.8% expected, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Existing home sales rose 5.9% in November from October to a 5.04-million unit annualized rate, the highest since November 2009, according to the National Association of Realtors. The association said sales would have been ‘modestly higher’ had Hurricane Sandy not occurred.
Signed contracts to buy existing homes climbed 1.7% in November from October to the highest level since April 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors. Economists forecast a smaller gain of 1%. The forward-looking housing indicator was up 9.8% from the same month in 2011.
U.S. existing home sales rose 0.4% in January from December to a 4.92-million unit annualized rate, slightly ahead of estimates of a 4.9-million unit rate.
Home Sales (new single-family homes):
Sales of new single-family homes rose 3.6% in July from June to an annualized rate of 372,000 units. Analysts were expecting an annualized rate of 365,000 units.
Sales of new U.S. single-family homes rose 5.7% in September to a 389,000-unit annualized rate, topping estimates of a 385,000-unit rate and marking the highest reading since April 2010.
Sales of new, single-family homes climbed 4.4% in November from October to an annual rate of 377,000 units.
Sales of new single-family homes jumped 15.6% in January from December — the largest increase since April 1993 — to a 437,000-unit annualized rate. Sales outpaced estimates of a 381,000-unit rate and marked the highest pace since July 2008.
Home Sales (Pending):
U.S. pending home sales rose 4.5% in January from December, outpacing the 1.5% gain expected, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Housing Starts:
U.S. housing starts jumped 6.9% in June from May to a 760,000-unit rate, topping estimates of a 745,000-unit rate and marking the highest rate since October 2008.
Housing starts rose 2.3% in August from July to a 750,000-unit rate, missing estimates of a 765,000-unit rate. Permits fell 1% to an 803,000-unit rate, but topped estimates of a 796,000-unit rate.
The Commerce Department reports housing starts rose 15% to an annualized rate of 872,000 units in September from August. Housing permits jumped 11.6% to an annualized rate of 894,000 units.
U.S. housing starts rose 3.6% in October to an 894,000-unit rate, well above estimates of an 840,000-unit rate and marking the highest pace since July 2008. Housing permits fell 2.7% to an 866,000-unit rate, slightly ahead of estimates of an 865,000-unit rate.
U.S. housing starts fell 3% in November from October to an 861,000-unit rate, missing economists’ estimates of an 873,000-unit rate. Permits to build new homes jumped 3.6% to an 899,000-unit rate, topping estimates of an 875,000-unit rate and marking the fastest pace since July 2008.
U.S. housing starts jumped 12.1% in December from November to an annualized 954,000-unit rate, the highest rate since June 2008. Permits rose 0.3% to an annualized rate of 903,000 units.
Imports:
U.S. import prices rose 1.1% in September from August, topping estimates of 0.7%.
Index of U.S. Consumer Confidence:
The Conference Board’s index of U.S. consumer confidence rose to 72.2 in October from a downwardly revised 68.4 in September. The results missed estimates of a reading of 72.5, but marked the index’s highest level since February 2008.
Index of U.S. Non-manufacturing Activity:
The Institute for Supply Management reports its index of U.S. non-manufacturing activity came in at 56.1 in December, beating expectations of a rise to 54.2 and an increase from 54.7 in November.
ISM Reading (Readings above 50 indicate expansion while those below 50 indicate contraction):
The November ISM reading on the non-manufacturing sector showed a small increase to 54.7 from 54.2 in October.
The latest ISM data show U.S. manufacturing activity increased to 50.7 last month from 49.5 in November. The index was expected to rise to 50.3.
The Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing PMI gauge rose to 53.1 in January from 50.2 in December, topping an expected reading of 50.6. Readings above 50 point to expansion in the sector, while those below point to contraction.
Manufacturing Sector (U.S. Midwest):
The manufacturing sector in the U.S. Midwest expanded at a slightly swifter pace in July than it did the month before. The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago’s PMI gauge came in at 53.7, higher than expectations of 52.5 and a reading of 52.9 in June.
Nonfarm Payrolls:
The Labor Department reported nonfarm payrolls rose by 96,000 in August from July. The unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 8.1% from 8.3.
The Labor Department reported nonfarm payrolls increased by 114,000 in September. The unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 7.8%, the lowest rate since January 2009, from 8.1% the month prior.
The Labor Department reported nonfarm payrolls rose by 146,000 in November, significantly more than the 93,000 expected. The unemployment rate fell to 7.7% from 7.9% the month prior to its lowest level since December 2008. Economists were expecting the unemployment rate to remain at 7.9%.
The Labor Department reports non-farm payrolls increased by 155,000 in December, beating expectations of an increase of 150,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 7.8%. November’s jobless rate was revised up by 0.1 percentage point to 7.8%.
The Labor Department reports nonfarm payrolls rose by 157,000 in January from December, slightly below the 160,000 expected. The unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9% from 7.8% the month prior. December’s nonfarm payroll increase was revised up to 196,000 from a previously reported 155,000.
Orders for Long-Lasting Goods:
Orders for long-lasting U.S. goods rose 4.2% in July from June, blowing past estimates of a 2.4% increase.
The Commerce Department reported orders for long-lasting goods climbed 9.9% in September from August, topping estimates of a 7.1% increase.
Orders for long-lasting goods remained flat in October from September. They were expected to fall 0.6%. Excluding the transportation segment, orders were up 1.5%. Economists were expecting a 0.5% drop.
Orders for long-lasting goods climbed 0.7% in November from October, a bigger gain than the 0.2% economists expected. Excluding the transportation component, orders jumped 1.6%, topping estimates of a 0.2% decline.
Personal Spending:
Personal spending rose 0.4% in July from June, as expected, to the highest level since February. Personal income rose 0.3%, also as expected.
U.S. personal spending rose 0.2% in December from November, slightly shy of the 0.3% expected.
Personal Income:
U.S. personal income rose 2.6% in December from November, outpacing estimates of a 0.8% gain; the increase was the largest since December 2004.
Pending Home Sales:
U.S. pending home sales rose 2.4% in July from June, topping the 1% expected and hitting the highest level since April 2010. Sales were up 12.4% from a year ago.
The National Association of Realtors reported its index of pending home sales rose 0.3% in September from August, the index climbing 14.5% from a year ago.
PMI Gauge:
The Markit Flash U.S. Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.9 in August from 51.4 in July, the first monthly increase in five months. Readings over 50 point to expansion while readings below 50 indicate contraction.
The Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing PMI gauge rose to 51.5 in September from 49.6 in August, topping expectations for a reading of 49.7 and marking the first time the index rose above 50 since May. Readings above 50 point to expansion while those below indicate contraction.
The Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing PMI gauge rose to 51.7 in October from 51.5 in September, the highest reading since May. The index was expected to fall to 51.2. Readings above 50 indicate expansion while those below indicate contraction.
The Labor Department reports nonfarm payrolls rose by 171,000 in October from September, surpassing the 125,000 expected, for 32 straight months of positive job growth. The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 7.9% from 7.8%, as expected.
The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago’s PMI gauge climbed to 51.6 in December from 50.4 the month before, a slightly better reading than the 51 economists forecast. Readings above 50 point to expansion in the Midwest manufacturing sector, while those below indicate contraction.
Private Sector Jobs:
The private sector added 163,000 jobs in July, according to the ADP report. Analysts had been expecting an increase of 120,000.
The ADP National Employment Report shows the U.S. private sector added 158,000 jobs in October, more than the 135,000 expected.
The ADP National Employment report shows the private sector added 118,000 jobs in November 2013.
The ADP national employment report shows the private sector added 215,000 jobs in December. Analysts had expected an increase of 133,000 jobs for the month.
The ADP National Employment Report shows the U.S. private sector added 198,000 jobs in February, more than the 170,000 jobs expected.
Producer Prices:
Prices at the producer level rose 0.2% in January from December, a slower pace than the 0.4% economists expected. Excluding the food and energy components, prices were also up 0.2%, matching forecasts.
Producer prices rose 1.1% in September from August, a bigger jump than the 0.7% expected.
The Labor Department reported producer prices climbed 0.3% in July from June, the fastest pace in five months. Analysts expected an increase of 0.2%. Excluding the food and energy components, prices were up 0.4%, also more than the 0.2% increase forecast.
The Producer Price Index ticked lower by 0.2% in December from the month prior, slightly more than the 0.1% expected, as food prices took their biggest fall since May 2011. Excluding the food and energy components, prices rose 0.1%, which was in line with estimates.
The ADP National Employment Report shows the U.S. private sector added 192,000 jobs in January, topping estimates of 165,000.
Retail Sales:
Retail sales climbed 0.8% in July from June, the largest increase since February and a bigger gain than the 0.3% economists expected.
U.S. retail sales rose 1.1% in September from August, more than the 0.8% expected. Excluding the auto component, sales were up 1.1%, the biggest rise since January and topping estimates of 0.6%.
U.S. retail sales rose 0.9% in August from July, more than the 0.7% expected and the largest rise since February. Excluding the auto segment, sales were up 0.8%, topping estimates of 0.6%.
U.S. retail sales rose 0.3% in November from October, less than the 0.5% expected, but still an increase. Excluding the auto segment, retail sales were unchanged from October.
U.S. retail sales jumped 0.5% in December from November, topping the 0.2% expected. Excluding the auto component, sales were up 0.3%, slightly higher than the 0.2% expected.
U.S. retail sales rose 0.1% in January from December, as expected. Excluding the auto segment, sales were up 0.2%, slightly above the 0.1% estimated.
The Commerce Department reports retail sales jumped 1.1% in February from January, the largest gain since September. Economists expected a smaller 0.5% increase for the month.
Service Sector Activity:
The Institute for Supply Management’s gauge of service-sector activity rose to 53.7 in August, the highest level since May, from 52.6 in July; the index was expected to fall slightly to 52.5.
The Institute for Supply Management’s gauge of service-sector activity rose to 55.1 in September from 53.7 in August, suggesting the sector is expanding at a faster rate. Economists expected a reading of 53.1.
The Institute for Supply Management’s gauge of service sector activity rose to 56 in February from 55.2 in January, topping expectations of a reading of 55. Readings above 50 point to expansion, while those below point to contraction.
Unemployment:
The unemployment rate in the U.S. unexpectedly fell to 7.8 percent in September 2012, the lowest since President Barack Obama took office in January 2009. In spite of the Republican majority ‘do nothing congress’ not passing President Obama’s Job’s Bill – (5 Oct 12)
The Department of Labor reports non-farm payrolls increased 236,000 in February, pushing the unemployment rate down to 7.7% — the lowest since December 2008 — from 7.9% in January. Economists were expecting an increase of 160,000 jobs with the rate holding steady at 7.9%.
New claims for unemployment benefits fell to 339,000 during the third week of October 2012 from an upwardly revised 369,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to rise to 370,000 from an initially reported 367,000.
New claims for unemployment benefits fell to 369,000 during the fourth week of October 2012 from an upwardly revised 392,000 the week prior.
New claims for unemployment benefits fell to 355,000 last week – week ending 3 Nov 12 – from 363,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to rise to 370,000. A Labor Department analyst says super-storm Sandy depressed claims in at least one state and resulted in an increase in claims in others.
For the week ending 23 Nov 12, new claims for unemployment benefits continued to fall for the same week reported to 393,000 last week from an upwardly revised 416,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to fall to 390,000 from an initially reported 410,000.
New claims for unemployment benefits fell to 370,000 during the week – ending 30 November 12 – from an upwardly revised 395,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to fall to 380,000 from an initially reported 393,000.
New claims for unemployment benefits fell to 343,000 during the week – ending 7 December 12 – the lowest level since the week of 6 October. Claims were expected to remain unchanged from an initially reported 370,000.
New claims for U.S. unemployment benefits fell to 335,000 last week – ending 11 Jan 13 – the lowest level since January 2008 – from an upwardly revised 372,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to fall to 365,000 from an initially reported 371,000.
New claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to 330,000 – ending 14 Jan 2013 – the lowest level since January 2008 -from 335,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to increase to 355,000. The Labor Department said the four-week moving average, which smoothes out volatility, is at its lowest since March 2008 while continued claims are at their lowest since July 2008.
New claims for U.S. unemployment benefits fell to 341,000 last week – ending 8 Feb 2013 – from an upwardly revised 368,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to fall to 360,000 from an initially reported 366,000.
New claims for unemployment benefits fell to 344,000 last week – ending 22 February 13 – from an upwardly revised 366,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to fall to 360,000 from an initially reported 362,000.
The Labor Department reports weekly jobless – for the week ending 1 March 13 – claims fell 7,000 to 340,000, declining for a second straight week. Economists expected claims to rise to 355,000.
The Labor Department reports initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped by 10,000 to a seasonally-adjusted 332,000, the lowest level since mid January. Economists had expected first-time applications last week – ending 8 Mar 13 – to rise to 350,000. The four-week-moving average, which helps smooth volatility, dropped to its lowest level since March 2008.
Stock Market was 8077.56 on 19 Jan 09 and 14,514.11 on 15 Mar 13.
So, let’s see, even though the 2012 GOTP presidential footnote claimed President Obama was defining what it meant to be “out of touch with reality” it appears it was he – Willard Mitt Romney, and the entire corps of conservative talking heads – who appears to have defined it.
The Liberty Tree 