NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (September 2021)

- Index    99.1. Previous was 100.3. 

This is a survey index from National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) of its members. This is important because it is small businesses which create most jobs.

Details:  https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/economy/small-business-owners-remain-uncertain-after-election/

 

Redbook Chain Store Sales (week ended 10/9/2021)

- Chain Store Sales year/year 14.8%. Previous was 16.4%

Source: Redbook Research Inc.

 

JOLTS  (August 2021)

- Job Openings 10,439,000.   Previous was 10,934,000

Graph of recent history: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/JTSJOL

Source:  BLS  Details: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/jolts.pdf

BLS Employment Situation Report (September 2021)

 Nonfarm Payrolls month/month  194,000.   Previous was 366,000

- Unemployment Rate   4.8%. Previous was  5.2%

- Private Payrolls - month/month 317,000.  Previous was   332,000

- Manufacturing Payrolls month/month  26,000. Previous was   31,000

- Labor Participation Rate     61.6%. Previous was  61.7%

- Average Hourly Earnings month/month    0.6%. Previous was  0.4%

- Average Hourly Earnings year/year    4.6%. Previous was  4.0%

- Average Workweek        34.7 hours. Previous was  34.6 hours  

Source:  BLS  Details:  https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

October 7, 2021

Initial Jobless Claims (week ended 10/2/2021)

- Initial Claims seasonally adjusted  326,000. Previous was 364,000

- Initial Claims unadjusted, totaled  258,909 in the week ending October 2, a decrease of 41,437 from previous 

- 4-Week Moving Average seasonally adjusted  344,000. Previous was  340,500

Number following are for week ended 9/18:

Total receiving regular state UI decreased by 37,260

Total receiving Pandemic UI decreased by  411,558

Total receiving Emergency Pandemic UI decreased by 360,999

Total receiving any UI decreased by 854,638 

4,172,943 were receiving some UI benefit

Source:  Labor Department   Details: https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf

 

October 6, 2021

MBA Mortgage Applications (week ended 10/12021)

- Purchase Index week/week . Previous weeks were  -1.0%, +2.0%,  +8.0%,  -0.2%, +1.0%, +3.0%, -1.0%., +1.8%, -2.0%, -.0%. -6.0%, +8.0%, -1.0%, -5.0%, and +1.0%

- Refinance Index week/week . . Previous weeks  were  -1.0%, +7.0%, -3.0%, -3.0, -4.0%, +1.0%, -5.0%, +3.2%, -2.0%, +9.0%,  -3.0%, -+20.0%, 2.0%, 8.0%, 3.0%, and 5.5%

- Composite Index week/week .   Previous weeks were  -1.1%, +4.9, +0.3%, -1.9%, -2.4%, +1.6%,  -3.9%, +2.8%, -1.7%,  +5.7%, -4.0%, +16.0%, 1.8%, -6.9%, and 2.1%.

Source:  MBA    Details: https://www.mba.org/2021-press-releases/october/mortgage-applications-decrease-in-latest-mba-weekly-survey

 

ADP Private Jobs  (September 2021)

- Private Jobs +568,000. Previous was +340,000

Source: ADP   Details: https://adpemploymentreport.com/

October 5, 2021

Trade Deficit  (August 2021)

- Deficit $73.3 billion.  Previous was $70.1 billion.

This is a component of 3rdQ GDP.

Source:  BEA  Details:  https://www.bea.gov/data/intl-trade-investment/international-trade-goods-and-services

 

Redbook Chain Store Sales (week ended 10/2/2021)

- Chain Store Sales year/year 16.4%. Previous was 16.3%

Source: Redbook Research Inc.

 

PMI Composite Final (September 2021)

- Composite Index    55.0.  Previous was 54.5

- Services Index     54.9.  Previous was 54.4

Source:  Markit Economics  

 

ISM Services Index (September 2021)

- Index 61.9. Previous was 61.7

Source:  ISM  Details:  https://www.ismworld.org/supply-management-news-and-reports/reports/ism-report-on-business/services/september/