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Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Michael Eisenga, CEO of First American Properties, Issues Statement on June Jobs Report: 'Don't Be Fooled by the Headline'
COLUMBUS, Wis., July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to today's release of the June 2025 employment report, Michael Eisenga, CEO of First American Properties, cautioned policymakers and investors against overconfidence in the labor market's apparent stability. While the U.S. economy added 147,000 jobs in June exceeding expectations, Eisenga emphasized that this number masks troubling undercurrents in the workforce. This report also is an interesting contrast to the ADP report which represents a more real time actual payroll database. 'On the surface, today's report looks encouraging,' said Eisenga. 'But dig deeper, and you'll find clear evidence of a cooling private-sector engine, sluggish hiring appetite, and shrinking workforce participation. We should be sounding the alarm, not celebrate.' This is especially the case when contrasting today's report with yesterday's ADP report, both can't be correct. According to ADP Research, private sector payrolls fell by 33,000 in June, following a revised gain of only 29,000 in May. Additionally, service providers, which have driven much of the post-pandemic recovery, cut 66,000 jobs, particularly in professional services, and health care. Out of the 147,00 jobs created 73,000 of them were government related jobs. Small and mid-sized businesses are reducing headcounts, suggesting tight margins and increased caution in future hiring. According to ADP, average payroll growth has slowed dramatically to just 18,700 jobs for the past 3 months up to May. Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports that hiring plans in June were the second worst since 2004. 'Businesses are not panicking, but they are clearly becoming more cautious,' Eisenga said. 'Layoffs aren't skyrocketing, but employers are holding back on replacements and new hires. That tells you confidence is slipping.' Labor force exits are also accelerating. The U.S. labor force shrank by 625,000 in May and another 130,000 in June, meaning between May and June, a combined 755,000 Americans exited the labor force, many likely due to retirement or more concerning exhausting their unemployment benefits. This mass exodus is not reflected in the drop in the unemployment rate to 4.1%, down from 4.2%. Accordingly, the unemployment rate did not drop because more people found jobs, but because fewer people are showing up on the stats due to the government's definition of dropping out of the workforce. 'A lower unemployment rate driven by workforce exits is not progress, it's smoke and mirrors,' Eisenga warned. 'We're seeing clear signs of job-hunting taking more time and a weakening path for consumer spending and growth.' The number of people currently receiving unemployment benefits stands at 1.964,000, just shy of the 2-million mark. Hiring breadth is narrowing, and early regional employment data shows softening trends. Eisenga echoed recent calls from economists and Federal Reserve officials urging a pivot in Fed policy, including potential interest rate cuts as early as July. 'The Fed cannot afford to ignore these warning signs,' Eisenga said. 'The revisions and participation trends demand action. A proactive stance by the FED is long overdue.' Eisenga concluded by urging business leaders, investors, and policymakers not to take headline numbers at face value: 'The real story is beneath the surface. If we wait for the next round of downward revisions to confirm what we already see forming, it will be too late.' Media Contact: Michael S. Eisenga, CEO First American Properties [email protected] (920) 350-5754
Al Arabiya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
U.S. applications for jobless aid fell to 233,000 last week as layoffs remain low
Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs in the US remain low despite uncertainty about how tariffs will impact the economy. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending June 28 fell by 4,000 to 233,000–less than the 241,000 that analysts forecast. Applications for unemployment aid are considered a proxy for layoffs. In a separate report Thursday, the Labor Department reported that US employers added 147,000 jobs in June–a sign that the American labor market continues to show surprising resilience despite uncertainty over President Donald Trump's economic policies. The job gains were much bigger than expected, and the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1 percent from 4.2 percent in May. Analysts had forecast that unemployment would rise to 4.3 percent. While layoffs remain historically low, many companies have announced job cuts this year, including Procter & Gamble, Workday, Dow, CNN, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, and Facebook parent company Meta. On Wednesday, Microsoft announced that it is laying off about 9,000 workers–its second mass layoff in months and its largest in more than two years. Earlier this month, Google confirmed that it had offered buyouts to another swathe of its workforce in a fresh round of cost-cutting ahead of a court decision that could order a breakup of its internet empire. The Labor Department's unemployment benefits report showed that the four-week average of claims, which evens out some of the weekly volatility, fell by 3,750 to 241,500. The total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits the week of June 21 held steady at 1.97 million.
Forbes
06-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
May Jobs Report Reveals Steady Unemployment And Stable Job Growth
The U.S. labor market exhibited signs of relative strength in May, according to the Labor Department's monthly jobs report released Friday morning, as questions swirl about economic uncertainty in the face of tariffs and high interest rates. The U.S. added 139,000 nonfarm jobs from April to May on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Labor Department said. Consensus economist estimates pegged May job growth at 125,000, according to Dow Jones data. The unemployment rate was 4.2% last month, meeting forecasts of 4.2%, the level it stood in March and April. Job growth was strongest in the healthcare and food services sectors, while federal government employment contracted by 22,000, according to the report. The government revised down prior March and April job growth estimates by 65,000 and 30,000, respectively, meaning job growth over the last three months was actually 81,000 positions weaker than anticipated prior to Friday's release when combined with the better-than-expected May data. Friday's jobs report came two days after a secondary labor market measure, ADP's private employment update, flashed a worrisome signal, as the payroll processor reported the weakest monthly private sector job growth in more than two years. How tariff uncertainty or any further signs of economic weakness will weigh on unemployment. JPMorgan Chase economists predict the unemployment rate will peak next year at 4.8%, the highest level since August 2021. When excluding the 2020-21 blip during the COVID-19 pandemic, that would be the highest unemployment since October 2016 during the waning days of the Obama administration. The unemployment rate 'will be closely watched in coming months to parse out the supply (immigration restrictions) vs. demand (impact of trade uncertainty and DOGE actions) shocks to the labor market,' Bank of America economist Shruti Mishra wrote in a Wednesday note to clients.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures stuck in holding pattern with labor data on deck
US stock futures marked time on Thursday as investors waited for further labor data and tariff-deal developments to relieve the uncertainty around the impact of President Trump's trade push. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) drifted just above the flat line after the blue-chip index snapped a four-day win streak on Wednesday. Contracts on the S&P 500 (ES=F) and on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) were also little changed. The mood is subdued as markets watch for fresh catalysts after this week's stock rally lost steam on Wednesday. Downbeat data on private-sector hiring growth and the services sector have stoked concerns that the US economy is starting to feel negative effects from Trump's sweeping tariffs. Eyes are now on a weekly update on jobless claims and the Challenger job cuts report for May, as well as productivity and labor cost data. The readings will prepare the ground for Friday's release of the closely watched May jobs report, which economists say will offer the "first real look at how the labor market is faring under a rapidly changing trade environment." Read more: The latest on Trump's tariffs Meanwhile, China's curbs on rare-earth exports have emerged as a key front in the trade war. The US auto parts industry warned of "serious, real-time risks" as it called for immediate action, as Ford (F) and carmakers overseas put production of some models on pause. On the corporate front, Lululemon (LULU) and Broadcom (AVGO) are due to report quarterly results on Thursday as earnings season winds to a close. Weekly claims for unemployment benefits hit their highest level in eight months during the final full week of May while the number of Americans filing for unemployment insurance on an ongoing basis continued to hover near its highest level in nearly four years as the US labor market continues to show signs of slowing. Data from the Department of Labor released Thursday morning showed 247,000 initial jobless claims were filed in the week ending May 231, up from 239,000 the week prior and above economists' expectations for 235,000. Meanwhile, 1.904 million continuing claims were filed, down slightly from 1.907 million the week prior and near the highest level seen since November 2021. Economists see an increase in continuing claims as a sign that those out of work are taking longer to find new jobs. Silver surged to its highest level since February 2012, rising about 4% to above $36 an ounce on Thursday morning. Gold also rose 0.5% as demand for the metals remained strong. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. As millions of people flooded into the stock market over the past few years, understanding of the things that move markets seems to have made noticeable progress. Not, however, for bonds, notes Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban: Read more here in today's Morning Brief. Earnings: Broadcom (AVGO), DocuSign (DOCU), Lululemon (LULU), Cracker Barrel (CBRL), Duluth Trading (DLTH), Land's End (LE), Petco (WOOF), Rubrik (RBRK), Victoria's Secret (VSCO) Economic data: Initial jobless claims (week ending May 31); Continuing claims (week ending May 24); Challenger job cuts (May); Nonfarm productivity (first quarter final); Unit labor costs (first quarter final) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Bonds are 'boring' — but they're critical to focus on right now US plans wider China tech curbs targeting subsidiaries 401(k) savings rate hit a record in first quarter: Fidelity US business optimism slumps in 'clear pivot' from Trump election Tesla: Musk may be changing his tune on EV tax credits Trump tariffs: China's rare-earth broadside hits its target Tide maker Procter & Gamble is slashing 7,000 jobs Amazon tests humanoid robots to replace delivery workers: Report Procter & Gamble (PG) said Thursday it will cut 7,000 jobs — or around 6% of its global workforce — as it grapples with rising tariff-related costs and shifts in demand from penny-watching shoppers. The consumer products giant's two-year restructuring plan also calls for the dropping of certain product categories and brands, Reuters reported. Shares in P&G were little changed in premarket trading as investors assessed the news from the world's largest consumer goods company. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read more here. Here are some top stocks trending on Yahoo Finance in premarket trading: Tesla (TSLA) stock fell over 1% in premarket trading on Thursday following CEO Elon Musk's latest attack on President Trump's tax bill. Musk said: "Call your Senator, Call your Congressman, Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL," Musk posted on X. PVH Corp (PVH), the owner of designer brand Calvin Klein, stock dropped 8% before the bell after cutting its profit outlook for the year, citing weakness in the US, China and tariffs. Zac Coughlin, Chief Financial Officer, said, 'We are reaffirming our revenue guidance for the year but are decreasing our outlook for profitability and earnings per share to reflect that backdrop and the current performance of our business." Robinhood (HOOD) stock rose 1% following Bank of America (BAC) saying the online brokerage is a "prime candidate" to enter the S&P 500 Index in the rebalancing set to be announced Friday. Broadcom (AVGO) stock rose 1.4% in premarket trading ahead of second-quarter earnings report, due for release later today. Optimism in the current state of the US economy and of US businesses has seen a rapid decline throughout 2025. After a sharp peak following President Trump's reelection, hope for a stable economy has been in free fall, dropping 40% in less than six months. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Weekly claims for unemployment benefits hit their highest level in eight months during the final full week of May while the number of Americans filing for unemployment insurance on an ongoing basis continued to hover near its highest level in nearly four years as the US labor market continues to show signs of slowing. Data from the Department of Labor released Thursday morning showed 247,000 initial jobless claims were filed in the week ending May 231, up from 239,000 the week prior and above economists' expectations for 235,000. Meanwhile, 1.904 million continuing claims were filed, down slightly from 1.907 million the week prior and near the highest level seen since November 2021. Economists see an increase in continuing claims as a sign that those out of work are taking longer to find new jobs. Silver surged to its highest level since February 2012, rising about 4% to above $36 an ounce on Thursday morning. Gold also rose 0.5% as demand for the metals remained strong. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. As millions of people flooded into the stock market over the past few years, understanding of the things that move markets seems to have made noticeable progress. Not, however, for bonds, notes Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban: Read more here in today's Morning Brief. Earnings: Broadcom (AVGO), DocuSign (DOCU), Lululemon (LULU), Cracker Barrel (CBRL), Duluth Trading (DLTH), Land's End (LE), Petco (WOOF), Rubrik (RBRK), Victoria's Secret (VSCO) Economic data: Initial jobless claims (week ending May 31); Continuing claims (week ending May 24); Challenger job cuts (May); Nonfarm productivity (first quarter final); Unit labor costs (first quarter final) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Bonds are 'boring' — but they're critical to focus on right now US plans wider China tech curbs targeting subsidiaries 401(k) savings rate hit a record in first quarter: Fidelity US business optimism slumps in 'clear pivot' from Trump election Tesla: Musk may be changing his tune on EV tax credits Trump tariffs: China's rare-earth broadside hits its target Tide maker Procter & Gamble is slashing 7,000 jobs Amazon tests humanoid robots to replace delivery workers: Report Procter & Gamble (PG) said Thursday it will cut 7,000 jobs — or around 6% of its global workforce — as it grapples with rising tariff-related costs and shifts in demand from penny-watching shoppers. The consumer products giant's two-year restructuring plan also calls for the dropping of certain product categories and brands, Reuters reported. Shares in P&G were little changed in premarket trading as investors assessed the news from the world's largest consumer goods company. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read more here. Here are some top stocks trending on Yahoo Finance in premarket trading: Tesla (TSLA) stock fell over 1% in premarket trading on Thursday following CEO Elon Musk's latest attack on President Trump's tax bill. Musk said: "Call your Senator, Call your Congressman, Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL," Musk posted on X. PVH Corp (PVH), the owner of designer brand Calvin Klein, stock dropped 8% before the bell after cutting its profit outlook for the year, citing weakness in the US, China and tariffs. Zac Coughlin, Chief Financial Officer, said, 'We are reaffirming our revenue guidance for the year but are decreasing our outlook for profitability and earnings per share to reflect that backdrop and the current performance of our business." Robinhood (HOOD) stock rose 1% following Bank of America (BAC) saying the online brokerage is a "prime candidate" to enter the S&P 500 Index in the rebalancing set to be announced Friday. Broadcom (AVGO) stock rose 1.4% in premarket trading ahead of second-quarter earnings report, due for release later today. Optimism in the current state of the US economy and of US businesses has seen a rapid decline throughout 2025. After a sharp peak following President Trump's reelection, hope for a stable economy has been in free fall, dropping 40% in less than six months. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. 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