Last week the number of workers in the United States who for the first time requested the unemployment benefit it grew by 19 units, bringing the total to 316 units. The US Department of Labor announced today. The data is worse than the expectations of analysts, who expected a drop to 295 thousand units. It was since last July that requests did not exceed the threshold of 300 units.
The previous week's index was revised up from 294 to 297. The four-week average, more reliable as it is less subject to market fluctuations, rose by 6,750 units to 298. According to experts it is just a lull in an otherwise improving job market.
As for the producer prices in the United States, they fell by 0,3% in December, the fastest pace in three years (October 2011), on the back of falling energy costs. The data does not dispel the doubts about US inflation, which is below the levels considered optimal. This was the fourth decline in five months, following a 0,2% decline in November (unchanged from the first estimate). Analysts were expecting a more serious decline, of 0,4%.
On an annual basis, the figure grew by 1,1% compared to December 2013, the lowest annual reading since November 2013. The core component - the one excluding the more volatile components represented by the prices of food and energy goods - grew by 0,3%, while analysts expected a rise of 0,1%. On an annual basis, the component rose by 2,1%.
The overall decrease was determined by the 14,5% drop in petrol prices. Food prices fell by 0,4%.
Finally, it records an expansion in January the manufacturing activity of New York State. The Empire Manufacturing index released by the Federal Reserve of New York signals an improvement of more than eleven points compared to the previous month: the index is expected at 9,95 points from -1,23 points in December.
The consensus was for a reading around +3 points. The improvement in new orders and shipments was limited, the indications on the labor market contrasting with the significant increase in the number of employed persons and the negative index on working weeks. Widespread optimism for the six-month outlook.
