02-JUL-09United States
Jobless Claims and ECRI Index Portend an End to Recession and Narrow Corporate Bond Yield Spreads
June’s monthly changes of a -2.5% drop in jobless claims and, surprise, a 0.3% lengthening of the factory workweek both improved prospects for the economy regardless of regression on the jobs front.

02-JUL-09United States
Slowest 3-Month Rise by Average Wage on Record to Curb Inflation, Contain Retail Sales, and Spur Profits, Eventually
It would take an improbable collapse of the dollar exchange rate to sustain a climb by inflation in an economy marked by low rates of resource utilization and decelerating wages.

02-JUL-09United States
Milder Climb by Jobless Rate Favors Improved Yearly Comparisons for Retail Sales
If businesses still are cutting back on staff, they’re probably also curtailing capital expenditures. Moreover, any re-stocking of inventories is being done with considerable caution.