The following statistics were released today on the state of the US economy:

Initial claims for unemployment fell 14,000 in the June 30 week to 374,000, much better than expected. The 4-week moving average fell slightly to 385,750. Continuing claims in rose 4,000 to 3.306 million with the 4-week average falling 3,000 to 3.304 million. The unemployment rate for insured workers is 2.6%, which is unchanged since March.

ADP’s private payroll count shows a better-than-expected rise of 176,000, hopefully pointing to strength for tomorrow’s employment situation.

Unlike the ISM manufacturing index, the ISM Non-Manufacturing Index stayed positive at 52.1, though that’s still slower than last month.

Chain Store Sales had a disappointing June, with many retailers lowering guidance, reporting lower rates of year-on-year growth than in May.

MBA Purchase Applications fell -6.7% last week, with purchases up 1.0%, but refinance applications down -8.0%.

The Challenger Job-Cut Report’s layoff count for June is 37,511, down from 61,887 in May and down from 41,432 in June last year.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index dropped from last week’s 2-month high to -37.5.

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Dale Franks
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