Labor markets are deteriorating quickly in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11. The economy was quite weak before the attacks, which have accelerated the pace of layoffs. As layoffs spiral higher, hiring activity has stopped, giving a strong upward push to joblessness. |
Labor markets are deteriorating rapidly. Layoffs remain at a fast pace, while hiring has all but stopped, ... As economic activity continues to unravel, there are few prospects for a near-term turnaround. The national unemployment rate, now at 4.9 percent, should breach 6 percent before the economy begins to recover. |
Labor markets are deteriorating rapidly. Layoffs remain at a fast pace, while hiring has all but stopped. As economic activity continues to unravel, there are few prospects for a near-term turnaround. The national unemployment rate, now at 4.9 percent, should breach 6 percent before the economy begins to recover. |
Labor markets are very strong and payroll employment should rise by 200,000 or more in February. The Federal Open Market Committee will continue to raise interest rates. |
Labor markets are weak and getting weaker. |
Layoffs continue to rise and job creation continues to slow, |
Leading indicators of job creation were generally favorable. |
Less refinancing activity should dampen consumer spending -- although that has not yet occurred. |
Less refinancing activity should dampen consumer spending — although that has not yet occurred. |
Manufacturing is mired in a deep, prolonged recession. |
Manufacturing is still mired in a deep recession, although the rate of decline may be slowing. The rapid adjustment in reducing inventories will eventually slow and ultimately reverse, giving the factory sector a lift. |
Manufacturing is still mired in a deep recession. Although vehicle production has stepped up to try to maintain a low-cost financing induced sales explosion, the rest of the industrial sector is hurting badly. |
Manufacturing is still struggling, |
Momentum in the leading indicators has slowed over the past year, suggesting an impending slowdown in economic growth. |
Most measures of the labor market indicate that the degree of slack is slowly disappearing. |