In the week ending March 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 770,000, an increase of 45,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 13,000 from 712,000 to 725,000. The 4-week moving average was 746,250, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised … [More]
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Job Satisfaction, Covid Optimism on the Rise in First Two Months of 2021, Says Phoenix Chamber Data
Greater Phoenix Chamber
The Greater Phoenix Chamber released new economic data from the Arizona Business Index™ (ABI™), powered by OH Predictive Insights (OHPI), a barometer on the health of the Arizona economy from the perspective of the Arizona consumer. This extensive statewide consumer sentiment survey provides an accurate pulse on the key indicators that drive the economy and delivers expert … [More]
1-Year Later: Arizona Nonprofits Assess Impact of Pandemic; $91M in Losses, 52% Decrease in Year-End Funding
Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits
An Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits survey showed the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic with more than 400 Arizona nonprofits reporting a total revenue loss of more than $91 million, a 52% drop in year-end giving and an increase of over $15 million in expenses primarily for PPE, supplies and technology. The survey, distributed in late February to both Alliance … [More]
Study Finds 8 in 10 Americans Think the Federal Minimum Wage is Too Low and Two-Thirds Support Increasing Minimum Wage to $15 Per Hour
Ipsos
Global market research firm Ipsos released a new, comprehensive federal minimum wage study, which polled more than 6,000 Americans on their knowledge of and opinions on the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. The study confirmed that the vast majority of Americans agree that the federal minimum wage is too low and should be increased to at least $15 per hour. In … [More]
Home Equity Continues to Soar: Homeowners Gained over $1.5 Trillion in Equity in 2020, Says Report
CoreLogic
CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released the Home Equity Report for the fourth quarter of 2020. The report shows U.S. homeowners with mortgages (which account for roughly 62% of all properties) have seen their equity increase by 16.2% year over year, representing a collective equity gain of over $1.5 … [More]
Move Over Zoom Rooms: Luxury Kitchen Amenities are the New Pandemic Must-Haves
Zillow
After a year of eating at home -- and finding escapism in the form of freshly baked bread or desserts -- home buyers want the professional features and equipment to take their cooking to the next level. New Zillow research finds buyers are willing to pay a premium for luxury kitchen amenities. From professional appliances to quartz countertops, six out of the top 10 features … [More]
U.S. Jobless Claims Down, Pace for Layoffs Eases
U.S. Department of Labor
In the week ending March 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 712,000, a decrease of 42,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 9,000 from 745,000 to 754,000. The 4-week moving average was 759,000, a decrease of 34,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up … [More]
Washington Is the Best State. Arizona, Not So Much.
U.S. News & World Report
Washington is the Best State in the country, according to the 2021 U.S. News Best States rankings. U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and civic journalism, evaluated all 50 states across a range of categories to capture how states best serve their citizens. Washington is among the top 10 states in the infrastructure, education, economy, fiscal … [More]
Nearly 40% of Millennials Are Comfortable Buying a Home Online
Zillow
Tech-savvy millennials are not only driving the Zillow surfing trend, they could change the way we shop for and buy homes. A new Zillow survey1 finds the largest generation of first-time home buyers overwhelmingly want digital tools available during the home shopping process, and many are comfortable purchasing their biggest financial asset online. Nearly 40% of … [More]
U.S. Consumer Prices Rise 0.4% in February, as Expected
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.3 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The gasoline index continued to increase, rising 6.4 percent … [More]
A Look Back: US Mortgage Delinquency Rates Experience Record Highs and Lows in 2020, Says Report
CoreLogic
CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released its monthly Loan Performance Insights Report for December 2020. On a national level, 5.8% of mortgages were in some stage of delinquency (30 days or more past due, including those in foreclosure), which represents a 2.1-percentage point increase in the overall … [More]
Small Business Optimism Improves Slightly in February
NFIB
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 95.8 in February, a slight bump from January but still below the 47-year average reading of 98. The NFIB Uncertainty Index decreased five points to 75. “Small business owners worked hard in February to overcome unexpected weather conditions along with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. … [More]
Americans Remain Hopeful About the Future of Their Careers Despite Turbulent Job Market and COVID-19 Challenges, Finds Career Optimism Index™
University of Phoenix
As the U.S. approaches the one-year mark of COVID-19 lockdowns, the University of Phoenix Career Institute has released the results of its first annual Career Optimism Index™, a comprehensive study measuring working Americans’ attitudes toward their careers to help identify barriers to career advancement and highlight solutions that can help all American workers accelerate … [More]
Mobile Wallets to Become $3.5T Worth Industry by 2023
Finaria.it
The global shift towards a cashless society created a huge space for mobile wallets as a safer and more convenient way of managing money. As the COVID-19 continues driving a digital transformation of payments, the entire segment witnessed impressive growth in the last year, both in the number of users and transaction value. According to data presented by Finaria.it, mobile … [More]
Employment Rose by 379K in February, Twice January’s Numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 379,000 in February, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 6.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The labor market continued to reflect the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In February, most of the job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, with smaller gains in temporary help … [More]
S&P500 Racial Justice and DEI Scorecard Separates Leaders from Laggards, Says Nonprofit
As You Sow
As You Sow today released two S&P500 scorecards — one assessing companies on racial justice and the other on workplace equity disclosures. These benchmarks distinguish leaders from laggards on these material issues. The data includes 22 key performance indicators on racial justice and 31 key performance indicators on workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) … [More]
Expanding Access to Credit Could Shrink the Homeownership Race Gap
Rick McCartney
Limited access to credit-building products and services disproportionately cuts off Black and Latinx Americans from the wealth-building advantages of homeownership that can last for generations, a new Zillow® analysis shows, shedding light on a prime barrier to entry for prospective homeowners of color. Twenty-six million Americans do not have a credit recordi and around … [More]
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Remain Highest since the Great Depression
U.S. Department of Labor
In the week ending February 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 745,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 730,000 to 736,000. The 4-week moving average was 790,750, a decrease of 16,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised … [More]
