U.S. Economic News
November 14, 2019
U.S. Economic Indicators
The headline Producer Price Index (“PPI”) for final demand increased 0.4% in October and was up 1.1% from October of last year. The core — which removes volatile prices of food, energy, and trade services — inched up 0.1% in October (up 1.5% from a year ago). BLS Report
Initial jobless claims rose 14,000 to 225,000 last week. The four-week moving average rose 1,750 to 217,000. DOL Report
U.S. News
According to the Wall Street Journal, the number of jobless Americans receiving unemployment benefits has flatlined near historically low levels, a consequence of stricter state eligibility requirements following the last recession and a tight labor market. Low unemployment and a rising quits rate suggest that many people are leaving jobs voluntarily to pursue better opportunities, leaving them ineligible for benefits in most cases. WSJ
The Financial Times reports that Chinese investment growth has slowed to its lowest level in two decades, the latest sign that Beijing’s attempts to prop up the domestic economy may be insufficient in the face of a deepening slowdown exacerbated by an unresolved trade war with the U.S. So far, Chinese stimulus efforts have been limited to tax and banking reforms, unlike more extensive measures taken during previous slowdowns. FT