May
16
Economic News, Outlook & Notable Numbers - April 2013
Key U.S. Economic News
Non-farm payrolls increased +236,000 in February. Gains in previous months were revised downward by -15,000. Average hourly earnings increased +0.2% and hours worked +0.3%, supporting the consumer. The unemployment rate fell two ticks to 7.7%; however, the labor force participation rate fell back to its recent low of 63.5%. The broader U-6 measure of unemployment ticked down to 14.3%. GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2012 was revised from slightly negative (-0.1%) to slightly positive (+0.1%). The ISM Manufacturing Index climbed 1.1 points to 54.2% in February. The New Orders and Production components experienced nice gains, while the Employment index fell.
Non-farm payrolls increased +236,000 in February. Gains in previous months were revised downward by -15,000. Average hourly earnings increased +0.2% and hours worked +0.3%, supporting the consumer. The unemployment rate fell two ticks to 7.7%; however, the labor force participation rate fell back to its recent low of 63.5%. The broader U-6 measure of unemployment ticked down to 14.3%. GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2012 was revised from slightly negative (-0.1%) to slightly positive (+0.1%). The ISM Manufacturing Index climbed 1.1 points to 54.2% in February. The New Orders and Production components experienced nice gains, while the Employment index fell.
