Weekly unemployment claims are still pretty high from an historical perspective, but I note that they were this high or higher more than a year after the last two recessions. The "healing" of the job market (defined as the reduction in the number of people being laid off) has proceeded at a much faster pace this time around. That's most likely due to the severity of this recession, of course, but it's a positive spin that gets easily overlooked.
perhaps it's not the layoffs that matter, but rather the lack of job creation that really matters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with septizoniom and find the chart at http://biggovernment.com/2010/01/13/americas-new-years-unemployment-hangover/ enlightening. Layoffs are slowing down, but new hiring seems to be sluggish still.
ReplyDeleteOr the two charts here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thedisciplinedinvestor.com/blog/2010/01/14/initial-and-continuing-claims-the-inside-scoop
when will you post next?
ReplyDeletesoon. I just got back from a long ski weekend in Tahoe. Too many things going on to post.
ReplyDelete