A growing demand for workers by eager companies to fill positions nationwide has led to unfilled job openings exceeding 8 million as of the end of March, according to the most recent data available from the Department of Labor. Economists and analysts believe that generous unemployment benefits along with stimulus payments have discouraged many of the unemployed from returning to work. Lower paying job positions are the toughest to fill as unemployment payments equal if not e

With home prices rising roughly 12% from February 2020 to February 2021, equity levels have risen producing heightened wealth among...

Homeowner equity as a percentage of home values reached an all time high in the 2nd quarter of 2020, surpassing the most recent previous highs in 2001. Federal Reserve data revealed that homeowners had achieved over 65.5% equity in their homes, a level not reached since the early 2000’s. Low interest rates have enabled mortgage holders to pay down their mortgage balances rapidly over the past twenty years, concurrently adding to their overall net worth. Homes rank as the sing

Euphoric media reports about the housing market are starting to come into question, as the fragility of the housing market is gradually being exposed. The FHFA House Price Index revealed that housing prices nationwide rose a paltry 5.4% in the past year, with some regions seeing much slower growth. The onset of the pandemic in March brought about a flurry of stimulus efforts meant to ease the financial burden for millions of Americans. Housing was a primary concern as the une

The most recent labor statistics made available by the U.S. Department of Labor is identifying more impactful increases in unemployment in certain industries than others. Economists and analysts believe that the year-over-year increases in unemployment are attributable to the pandemic, where mandatory closures and restrictions are continuing to hinder businesses and workers nationwide. Unemployment is affecting various occupations differently, as the impact of the pandemic di

In an effort to help keep homeowners and renters suffering from financial burdens due to the pandemic in their homes, federal foreclosure...

Equities rebounded in April, recapturing some of the losses suffered in March. Stocks were enhanced by reopening prospects and stimulus...

Government agencies compile and track prices on a multitude of products from various sources. Dramatic price swings help economists...

Falling interest rates have prompted an increase in mortgage activity as the cost to borrow for home buyers has become less expensive. Mortgage rates fell in late July to the lowest levels since late 2016, with the average on a 30-year fixed rate conforming loan falling to 3.75%, down from 4.94% in November 2018. The challenge for many homebuyers has been rising home prices and affordability throughout the country. Slow rising wages and stagnant incomes have, for the most par

As occupations and trades evolved over the decades in the United States, so have the workers that have been on strike. The Bureau of Labor Statistics monitors and tracks the number of idle workers on strike nationwide, known as work stoppages. For over 200 years, strikes in the United States have usually evolved from a specific group of workers or labor group. This past year, educational service workers including teachers and office staff for schools, accounted for over 90% o

Thirty-year mortgage rates have surged to the highest levels in seven years, increasing borrowing costs at a time when the housing market is slowing and prices have been falling. The 4.86% conforming rate at the end of October was the highest rate since April 2011, according to data from Freddie Mac. The average 15-year conforming mortgage rate climbed to 4.29% over the same period of time. Optimism about economic growth has led to higher inflationary expectations, which even

As companies struggle to keep existing qualified workers as well as attract and hire new workers, the task of keeping labor costs...

Data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed that new home sales have been falling. Sales for new homes have been affected as mortgage rates have risen and a lack of supply is still an issue. Labor shortages of qualified workers throughout the housing industry have placed a strain on the construction of new homes, an issue that is not prevalent with existing home sales. Affordability is becoming an issue as rates have risen, driving up mortgage payments.

Jobless claims are a vital measure of the health of the labor market. In addition to the monthly unemployment report, the jobless claims report tracks the number of people that have filed for unemployment benefits. The data essentially identifies what the new number of unemployed people are versus the number of total unemployed, which is measured by the unemployment rate. New claims data is considered a timely indication of which direction the job market is heading as opposed

Job creation and expansion is becoming prevalent in almost every major sector of the U.S. economy. Of the various sectors, construction, retail trade, and business services are seeing the most job growth. Aiding labor markets as well is the participation rate among prime age workers (25-54 year olds), which has risen to levels not seen since before the financial crisis of 2008. The Bureau of Labor Statistics developed an ongoing assessment of growing occupations within the

The United States by far has the single largest consumer market of any country worldwide, representing over 26% of the entire global...

Optimism and positive sentiment surrounding earnings and growth estimates fueled equities in January, lifting equity indices to new...