Unemployment claims fall (a little)

There has been a minute drop in the unemployment rate. However, according to the article, “Unemployment claims fall (a little)”, this should not be something to celebrate. During the first week, more than 400,000 people claimed unemployment. The economists hoped to have the number under 400,000, but week after week, the numbers has been inconsistent. It falls sometimes and then it bounces back. The predicted unemployment rate is to be 9.1% for October despite the increase of the GDP rate to 2.5% for third quarter. With low unemployment rate one would expect the GDP to decrease because demand for consumption would be lower, but not in today’s current US economy.

Article: http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/27/news/economy/unemployment_benefits/index.htm?iid=SF_E_River

Consumers spend more, save less in September

It has been recorded in the article, “Consumers spend more, save less in September”, that the GDP did in fact go up to 2.5% in the third quarter from 1.3% in the second quarter and 0.4% in the first quarter. However, even though the GDP went up, there has been an observation of consumers spending more than they are earning. With a slight increase of inflation already taking place, it is difficult to decrease the amount spent if an item costs a lot more than it used to.

Article: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumers-spend-more-save-less-in-september-2011-10-28?siteid=yhoof

U.S. wholesale prices surge in September

The article “U.S. wholesale prices surge in September”, stated how there has been increases in prices on gasoline, vegetables, etc. This continues to contribute to the already weak U.S. economy because higher prices lead to lower demands from the consumers of the goods. It also seems for the past 12 months or so, the consumer price index rose up to 3.8%. In addition, not only are there wholesale price increases, but other intermediate goods, raw materials, and food and energy prices are going up, as well.

Article: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-wholesale-prices-surge-in-september-2011-10-18?siteid=yhoof

Nabors Industries CEO Eugene Isenberg is leaving the oil and gas drilling firm and is contractually entitled to a $100 million payment because the firm has decided on a change of leadership. In a non-binding vote the the Nabors annual meeting earlier this year, 57% of shareholders who voted came out against compensation for executives, according to a June SEC filing.

America Losing Educated Workers

A new study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reports that it seems that America is losing a significant advance in the global knowledge economy, with its portion of college-educated labor decreasing in relation to competing economic nations.- October 20, 2011 Emma Zoryan

"Job Market Isn't Getting Worse"

Trade balance report confirms US avoided third-quarter recession. Unemployment benefits claims dipped by 1,000, just below expectations for unemployment benefits claims.The number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week, a sign the job market isn't getting worse. October 13, 2011 Emma Zoryan

Stanford prof asks: "Is marriage for white people?"

Black women have lowest marriage rates in US. Prof. Banks says marriage rates are low because black men have low earnings and black women are unwilling to marry white men instead.