July U.S. Jobless Claims Higher than 2019, Lower than June 2020

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment rates were lower in July in 30 states, higher in 9 states, and stable in 11 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. All 50 states and the District had jobless rate increases from a year earlier. The national unemployment rate fell by 0.9 percentage point over the month to 10.2 percent but was 6.5 points higher than … [More]

Weekly Jobless Claims Back Over a Million, Increase of 135,000

U.S. Department of Labor

In the week ending August 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 1,106,000, an increase of 135,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 8,000 from 963,000 to 971,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,175,750, a decrease of 79,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was … [More]

Arizona Economic Dashboard Launched to Collect Economic Data for Recovery and Beyond

Greater Phoenix Chamber

The Greater Phoenix Chamber launched the Arizona Economic Dashboard, a new tool developed to collect meaningful economic data signaling Arizona’s progress through economic recovery and beyond. “The Greater Phoenix Chamber is consistently evaluating how to serve the business community in the best way possible,” said Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix … [More]

Their Take: Implementation of Tenant/Landlord Assistance Programs is Critical

Rick McCartney

Arizona businesses continue to be affected by the economic impact of COVID-19.  Particularly hard-hit are those individuals whose business is the ownership and management of rental homes throughout the state. As tenants struggle to make ends meet, landlords were mandated by an executive order to adjust their rent collections schedules, allowing tenants upwards of eight … [More]

Pilates Studio Re-Opens Valley Locations Aug. 20, Approval by ADHS

Club Pilates

Club Pilates announces it will re-open three of its Valley studios tomorrow, Thursday, August 20, after receiving approval from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Club Pilates, the nation’s largest premium Pilates franchise, is one of the first boutique gyms to get approval to re-open since being shut down in late June. The local franchise locations include Scottsdale … [More]

Report: Hotel Industry Facing Historic Wave of Foreclosures

American Hotel & Lodging Association

A new national report shows  that the hotel industry is facing a historic wave of foreclosures as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate small business hotel owners and its workforce. Since the beginning of the pandemic the hotel segment has faced a historic number of delinquencies and is the most heavily hit sector of the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) … [More]

Weekly Jobless Claims Just Under a Million, First Time in 21 Weeks

U.S. Department of Labor

In the week ending August 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 963,000, a decrease of 228,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 5,000 from 1,186,000 to 1,191,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,252,750, a decrease of 86,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was … [More]

Charting New Path to Recovery for Phoenix Convention Business

Phoenix Convention Center

As the meetings industry continues to struggle amid the ripple effects of global pandemic Covid-19, the Phoenix Convention Center with partner Visit Phoenix paves a new path for recovery. Bookings into the Future As the primary booking agent for the Phoenix Convention Center, Visit Phoenix works with the facility along with downtown hotels to book conventions into the … [More]

Consumer Prices Jump Again in July, Rebounding from Pandemic Lows, Up 0.6%

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.0 percent before seasonal adjustment. The gasoline index continued to rise in July after increasing sharply in June and … [More]

Pac-12 Conference Postpones Season, No Football for ASU and UArizona

Pac-12

The Pac-12 CEO Group voted unanimously to postpone all sport competitions through the end of the 2020 calendar year. The Conference comprises 12 leading U.S. universities, including the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. The decision was made after consultation with athletics directors and with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee who expressed … [More]

Small Business Employment Rebound Moderates in July

Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch

The latest Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch shows that employment growth moderated as new COVID-19 hot spots emerged in the South and West regions of the U.S. The national jobs index slipped 0.24 percent in July to 94.59. Hourly earnings growth also slowed slightly to 3.29 percent last month, but increasing hours worked, spurred by the shifting workforce … [More]

Majority of Small Businesses Are Attempting to Hire, Labor Market Remains Weak

NFIB

According to NFIB’s monthly jobs report, over half (51%) of small business owners reported hiring or trying to hire in July. Forty-four percent (86 percent of those hiring or trying to hire) reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill, up 1 point. Fifty-two percent of construction firms reported few or no qualified applicants and 37% cited … [More]

June International Trade in Goods and Services, Down $1.4B from May

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $50.7 billion in June, down $4.1 billion from $54.8 billion in May, revised. U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit Deficit: $50.7 Billion -7.5%° Exports: $158.3 Billion +9.4%° Imports: $208.9 … [More]

Economy Gained 1.8M Jobs in July, Slow Recovery Expected

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 1.8 million in July, and the unemployment rate fell to 10.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These improvements in the labor market reflected the continued resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it. In July, notable job … [More]

Weekly Jobless Claims Exceed 1 Million for 20th Straight Week

U.S. Department of Labor

In the week ending August 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claimswas 1,186,000, a decrease of 249,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 1,434,000 to 1,435,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,337,750, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was … [More]

July Commercial Chapter 11s Increase 52% over Last Year, Total Filings Down 33%

Rick McCartney

Total commercial chapter 11 filings in July 2020 increased 52 percent from the previous year, according to data provided by Epiq. Commercial chapter 11 filings totaled 643 in July 2020, expanding from the July 2019 total of 423. Conversely, total commercial filings decreased 17 percent in July 2020, as the 2,768 filings were down from the 3,314 commercial filings registered in … [More]

New Movement Launches to Help Drive More Local Spending, Reviving Main St. Economies

Alignable.com

To help drive more progress in the recovery of all small businesses and their communities across the U.S. and Canada, Alignable.com is launching #MyMoneyStaysLocal today. #MyMoneyStaysLocal is a grassroots movement encouraging business owners and community members alike to spend more money on purchases close to home. The movement was created to raise awareness of how … [More]

What Do Consumers Want Now? The Data Knows

Mike Hunter

Sign up for or log into any social media platform and you will encounter suggested buying options based on your personal interests or previous buying history. There’s a reason for that. The market is a consumers’ market. Any company that wants the chance of long-term sustainability must know as much detailed information as possible about their ideal client or consumer, says … [More]

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