Unemployment down

[TexasTiger 9,673]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/11/06/economy-adds-271000-jobs-in-october-unemployment-rate-at-5-percent/

[AURaptor 1,113]

More apply for unemployment benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) -

More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. However, unemployment levels remain at historic lows.

The department says a seasonally-adjusted 276,000 people applied for unemployment aid last week, up from 260,000 the week before. The less-volatile four week average rose by only 3,500 and has remained below 300,000 since late March.

The historically low numbers indicate despite pressure on growth, employers expect the economy to improve, so they hang on to workers. Placement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas reported payroll reductions in October fell 14 percent from September.

Lower gas prices are helping many parts of the economy except the energy sector, which shed the most jobs of any other sector in the month of October.

[channonc 466]

More apply for unemployment benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) -

More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. However, unemployment levels remain at historic lows.

The department says a seasonally-adjusted 276,000 people applied for unemployment aid last week, up from 260,000 the week before. The less-volatile four week average rose by only 3,500 and has remained below 300,000 since late March.

The historically low numbers indicate despite pressure on growth, employers expect the economy to improve, so they hang on to workers. Placement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas reported payroll reductions in October fell 14 percent from September.

Lower gas prices are helping many parts of the economy except the energy sector, which shed the most jobs of any other sector in the month of October.

Your own citation says that these numbers art historically low.

[autigeremt 5,834]

It's a great time of year for unemployment numbers. Hope it leads to increased salaries down the road.....

[AURaptor 1,113]

More file for unemployment, and still some here are trying to spinet. I guess some will see only what they want to see, but the unemployment statistics have always been rigged while Obama has been in office.

[channonc 466]

More file for unemployment, and still some here are trying to spinet. I guess some will see only what they want to see, but the unemployment statistics have always been rigged while Obama has been in office.

As usual, you are the one spinning. Your hatred of all things Obama blinds you to the facts in front of your face. I am so tired of you spouting off on every thread as though this is an "I Hate Obama" support group. Please seek help for your Hate Obama addiction, we would all appreciate it.

See another article on the unemployment benefits below. (Emphasis mine)

Jobless claims match highest level in two months

Published: Nov 5, 2015 8:45 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits at the end of October rose sharply to match the highest level in two months, perhaps a sign of some softening in the labor market.

Initial jobless claims in the period running from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31 shot up by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 276,000, the government said Thursday. The last time jobless claims were higher was at the end of August.

Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a slight rise in claims from the prior’s week level of 260,000.

Despite the biggest jump in claims in more than eight months, the number of people applying for benefits remains near a 15-year low. Economists are unlikely to give much weight to the latest claims figures unless they are followed by more increases, since the weekly numbers can be quite volatile.

A more reliable measure, the average of initial claims over the past month, rose a much smaller 3,500 to 262,750. The four-week average smooths out fluctuations in the weekly report.

New claims are created when a person loses a job and applies for unemployment benefits. Weekly claims settled below the key 300,000 benchmark in February and recently fell to levels last seen in the early 1970s, when the working-age population was much smaller.

Yet hiring in the U.S. appeared to slacken as the summer wound down from a 200,000-plus monthly pace earlier in the year. The economy added just 136,000 new jobs in August and 142,000 in September, according to the Labor Department.

The slowdown in job creation has spawned fresh worries the government could report another lackluster increase in hiring when the employment report for October is released on Friday.

In the week ended Oct. 24, meanwhile, continuing jobless claims rose by 17,000 to 2.16 million. These claims reflect people already receiving benefit checks.

A separate report from the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said job cuts fell 14% in October to 50,504. However, announced layoffs in the oil sector were the highest since April, the report said.

EDITED to add link. Click here.

[AURaptor 1,113]

The term "useful idiot" applies to those who blindly praise Obama at every turn.

[penguin149 354]

Doesn't matter how you spin it, there are a record number of people collecting government benefits (food stamps, housing, et al). Record number of people dropping out of the work force (and not related to age). If you think that the economy is doing great....your definition of "great" is different from mine. This is caused by a Government problem....and not just necessarily an Obama problem but he and the Democrats should carry their share of the blame.

[channonc 466]

The term "useful idiot" applies to those who blindly praise Obama at every turn.

Looking at facts is not "blindly praising Obama".

[AURaptor 1,113]

Real Unemployment Rate Formula Using Current Statistics

In September 2015, the real unemployment rate (U-6) was 10.0%, nearly double the widely-reported unemployment rate (U-3) of 5.1%. Here's how to calculate both:

Step 1. Calculate the official unemployment rate:

U-3 = 7.915 million unemployed workers / 156.715 million in the labor force = 5.1%.

Step 2. Add in marginally attached workers: There were 1.921 million people who were marginally attached to the labor force. Add this to both the number of unemployed and the labor force.

U-5 = 9.836 million / 158.636 million = 6.2%.

Step 3. Add in part-time workers: There were 6.036 million people who were working part-time because they couldn't get full-time work, although they'd prefer it. Add them to the unemployed, they're already in the labor force.

U-6 = 15.872 million / 158.636 million = 10.0%. (Source: BLS, Table A-15)

http://useconomy.about.com/od/suppl1/f/real_unemployment_rate.htm

[channonc 466]

Doesn't matter how you spin it, there are a record number of people collecting government benefits (food stamps, housing, et al). Record number of people dropping out of the work force (and not related to age). If you think that the economy is doing great....your definition of "great" is different from mine. This is caused by a Government problem....and not just necessarily an Obama problem but he and the Democrats should carry their share of the blame.

Actually the number of SNAP recipients is declining.

[around4ever 4,133]

37% of unemployed have completely dropped out of the workforce. They have stopped seeking employment. Half of that number is natural attrition with retirements and legitimate disabilities. The other half is a mystery to economist. Using the U-3 Numbers, that means that nearly 1.5 million capable workers are no longer interested in working. These are the ones who are not counted in the unemployment numbers. All of these numbers are the highest they have been since 1948.

[AURaptor 1,113]

"You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."

[kd4au 1,145]

Unemployment # = more smoke and mirrors from the government.

[penguin149 354]

In 2007, 26MM people on SNAP at a cost of $33MM...in 2014 it's 47MM people and $74MM. That is a HUGE increase....there's a long way to go to get this under control.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/pd/SNAPsummary.pdf

[shabby 1,762]

Numbers peaked in 2013 and declined in 2014. I would bet money that 2015 and 2016 continue that trend. You deliberately picked 2007 as your starting point as its prior to a great recessions. You do realize that people tend to rely on government services in a recession right? A full Obama budget didn't begin until 2009. in 2010 the rate was 40,000. An accurate look would show an upward trend from 40,000 to a peak of 47,000 followed by what appears to be a decline.

[homersapien 10,213]

Unemployment # = more smoke and mirrors from the government.

Damn right. It's all lies meant to keep us in the dark. Just like the MSM are all liberal propagandists and AGW is a hoax by the scientific community.

Can't believe anything. (Well except for maybe those voices in your head. )

[Guest NC1406]

For short term decisions I will watch the government reported employment numbers and even trade based on them. For long term decisions I prefer to watch the labor participation numbers. The labor participation number continues to decline to abysmal levels. You have to increase the labor participation to support both liberal and conservative government programs. We aren't doing real well for the long term.

[Texan4Auburn 1,626]

37% of unemployed have completely dropped out of the workforce. They have stopped seeking employment. Half of that number is natural attrition with retirements and legitimate disabilities. The other half is a mystery to economist. Using the U-3 Numbers, that means that nearly 1.5 million capable workers are no longer interested in working. These are the ones who are not counted in the unemployment numbers. All of these numbers are the highest they have been since 1948.

I would guess you might have quite a few in the recent graduate category. The ones back at home. The your overqualified for this job but don't have the requirements for this job. Entry level positions are still very hard to come by at the moment. Graduated in May. Have had 4 interviews and just havn't landed anything yet, all due to experience. I have applied for every full time position at the hospitals in Columbus, Montgomery, Phenix City that have come up (Patient Access, Registration Specialist,. etc etc... all those customer service/HS diploma jobs) that are not degree neccessary and meet the requiments easy and they won't touch me for those due to over-qualification. So I will do my part time gig to keep a work history and work on my MBA while tossing the resumes out.

I know quite a few people that are in this same situation, just they arent doing the part time job gig.

[Raven_tiger 5]

94.5 Million not in workforce, 38 year high...

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/11/06/94513000-americans-not-labor-force-participation-rate-matches-38-year-low/

[Raven_tiger 5]

Black unemployment 2x white unemployment... Not mentioned in MSM...

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/11/06/black-unemployment-twice-high-white-unemployment/

[AURaptor 1,113]

Black unemployment 2x white unemployment... Not mentioned in MSM...

http://www.breitbart...e-unemployment/

" If I help him, he's gonna help me "

How's that quid pro quo working out for ya now ?

[homersapien 10,213]

Raptor, you have some serious issues.

[AUTUmike 79]

More file for unemployment, and still some here are trying to spinet. I guess some will see only what they want to see, but the unemployment statistics have always been rigged while Obama has been in office.

Link?

[AURaptor 1,113]

Raptor, you have some serious issues.

It's called having a memory. It just doesn't quit.

Of course it might be nice if we had a president who had policies which helps black , white and everybody, but I guess that's just asking for too much HOPE.