Economic Performance/Indicators

Breaking: US Jobless Claims Remain Remarkably Low at 208K – No Evidence of Surging Layoffs as Labor Market Holds Steady into 2026

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Breaking: US Jobless Claims Remain Remarkably Low at 208K – No Evidence of Surging Layoffs as Labor Market Holds Steady into 2026

With US jobless claims, initial unemployment claims, labor market 2026, low layoffs, and weekly jobless claims topping economic trackers today, new data shows Americans filing for unemployment benefits stayed very low, signaling no immediate spike in layoffs despite ongoing hiring slowdowns. The Labor Department reported Thursday that initial jobless claims rose modestly to 208,000 for … Read more

Stock market braces for a crucial jobs report after a lackluster start to 2026

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Stock market braces for a crucial jobs report after a lackluster start to 2026

Stock Market Braces for Crucial December Jobs Report After Mixed Start to 2026 US jobs report, nonfarm payrolls, stock market 2026, Federal Reserve rates, labor market data – these key indicators dominate headlines as Wall Street enters its first full trading week of the year on a cautious note. After a holiday-shortened period with low … Read more

Penny pinchers have put even the all-powerful Chinese central government on its back heel

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Penny pinchers have put even the all-powerful Chinese central government on its back heel

China’s local governments, long the engines of infrastructure-driven growth, have turned into reluctant **penny pinchers** amid a crushing debt overload and plummeting revenues from the property slump. This widespread austerity at the provincial and municipal levels is now putting unprecedented pressure on the **all-powerful central government**, forcing Beijing into a delicate balancing act as it … Read more

Stocks risk a stir-up in last trading push of the year. Where to put your money.

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Stocks risk a stir-up in last trading push of the year. Where to put your money.

As of mid-December 2025, the S&P 500 stands around 6,827 (as of December 12), reflecting a strong year-to-date gain of approximately 16-18% including dividends. The market has shown resilience amid rotations, with historical seasonality favoring a potential Santa Claus rally in the final weeks. Key Risks Stirring Up Stocks Several factors could cause volatility in … Read more