Applications for unemployment benefits are near a four-year low . Weekly applications for unemployment benefits have fallen to a seasonally adjusted 348,000- the lowest since March 2008- according to the Labor Department. And applications have dropped 11 percent in four months.
The Dow Jones industrial average had its highest close since May 2008 on Thursday.
More Buying Power- More jobs and tame inflation are giving consumers more buying power. Their higher spending could further boost growth and lower the unemployment rate for February for a sixth-consecutive month.
Housing market-- Builders are expecting improved sales in the near future. In response, they’re planning to break ground on more homes.
Builders broke ground in January at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 699,000 homes, the Commerce Department said. That nearly matches November’s three-year high. Single-family home construction cooled off slightly after a big jump in December.
Factories-Factory activity in the Philadelphia region grew in February at the fastest pace in five months. And a report that showed a third-consecutive month of factory growth in the New York region.
Tame inflation -Wholesale prices were largely unchanged in January, according to the Commerce department. Even though gas prices are rising, they are being offset by falling costs for electricity, home heating oil and natural gas. Most economists see inflation as little threat, according to USA TODAY.
Many analysts expect continuing positive news in next month’s jobs report for February 2012. Some experts believe that the net job gains could match or top January’s 243,000. For the past three months, the US economy has gained an average of about 200,000 jobs.
The Dow Jones industrial average had its highest close since May 2008 on Thursday.
More Buying Power- More jobs and tame inflation are giving consumers more buying power. Their higher spending could further boost growth and lower the unemployment rate for February for a sixth-consecutive month.
Housing market-- Builders are expecting improved sales in the near future. In response, they’re planning to break ground on more homes.
Builders broke ground in January at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 699,000 homes, the Commerce Department said. That nearly matches November’s three-year high. Single-family home construction cooled off slightly after a big jump in December.
Factories-Factory activity in the Philadelphia region grew in February at the fastest pace in five months. And a report that showed a third-consecutive month of factory growth in the New York region.
Tame inflation -Wholesale prices were largely unchanged in January, according to the Commerce department. Even though gas prices are rising, they are being offset by falling costs for electricity, home heating oil and natural gas. Most economists see inflation as little threat, according to USA TODAY.
Many analysts expect continuing positive news in next month’s jobs report for February 2012. Some experts believe that the net job gains could match or top January’s 243,000. For the past three months, the US economy has gained an average of about 200,000 jobs.
