Jobless rate falls to 9 percent despite weak job growth
The economy generated only 36,000 net new jobs in January, the fewest in four months, but the unemployment rate fell because many of those out of work gave up on their job searches.
The economy generated only 36,000 net new jobs in January, the fewest in four months, but the unemployment rate fell because many of those out of work gave up on their job searches.
Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the second drop in a row and a hopeful sign the job market could be improving.
California-based life sciences firm Beckman Coulter Inc. is planning its third local expansion since 2007, investing $18.2 million in its Indianapolis operation and adding as many as 95 jobs here in the next three years.
International Automotive Components Group said the layoffs will occur in two stages—on Nov. 10 and again on Dec. 13. Expiring contracts are responsible for the cuts, said a company spokesman, who added that the employees could be recalled.
However, about 10.1 million people were receiving unemployment checks in the week ended Aug. 7, the latest data available.
That’s up about 260,000 from the previous week.
Perfect Fit Industries, a supplier of bedding accessories such as mattress pads, pillows and comforters, will shut down its
facility in southwest Indiana by the end of the year.
Initial claims for unemployment benefits have now risen in three of the last four weeks and are close to their high point
for the year of 490,000, reached in late January.
Worker productivity declined at an annual rate of 0.9 percent in the April-to-June quarter after posting large gains throughout
2009, the Labor Department said Tuesday.
The disappointing jobs data magnifies worries that slowing growth could end up leading the country back into recession during
the second half of the year.
Initial requests for jobless benefits rose last week to their highest level since April, a sign that hiring remains weak and
some companies are still cutting workers.
GM spokesman Kevin Nadrowski says officials at the Kokomo Integrated Circuit Fab plant met with 375 workers Wednesday to
say they're "assessing the business model at the plant based on recent business developments."
The sharp increase comes after claims fell steeply two weeks ago to their lowest level since August 2008. But much of that
drop was driven by temporary seasonal factors and not an improving job market.
June figure hits 10.1 percent, up a tick from April and May, marking the third straight month Indiana’s unemployment rate
has been in double digits.
Economists say the U.S. recovery continued during the second quarter of this year with more businesses hiring workers and
fewer cutting jobs, but the pace of growth has slowed, a new survey shows.
The bleeding seems to have stopped where job loss is concerned, but it’s not time to pat ourselves on the back.
Claims have fluctuated wildly in the past several weeks and have not dropped below January levels. Elevated unemployment claims,
along with last month’s weak jobs report and a struggling housing market, have economists worried the recovery is slowing.
Pessimism about economic recovery grows as employment numbers for June fall short of expectations.
Locally based consultancy LeadJen had 20 employees in January. Halfway through the year, the company already has hired 20
more, and President Jenny
Vance expects to add another 20 over the next six months.
Virtually all the job creation in May came from the hiring of 411,000 census workers. Job creation by private companies grew
at the slowest pace since the start of the year.
A couple of Hoosier entrepreneurs think they can take their career information web site national.