-
Market Trends
Weekly Economic Review | November 21, 2022
Nov 21, 2022
The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims edged lower last week signaling the labor market continues to be tight. Since the Fed considers labor market strength a key cause of inflation, we can expect continued upward pressure on rates. Layoff announcements have become more frequent for larger companies, but data suggest that small businesses are absorbing laid off workers. Claims in regular state programs decreased 4,000 to 222,000 for the week ending November 12th, after reporting 226,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average climbed to 221,000 from 219,000 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 13,000 to 1.507 million for the week ending November 5th.
Read more → -
Market Trends
Weekly Economic Review | November 14, 2022
Nov 14, 2022
The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims climbed last week as layoff announcements from larger companies have become more frequent. In the near-term, data suggest that small businesses are going to be eager to absorb workers laid off from larger businesses, but this will not persist indefinitely. Claims in regular state programs increased 7,000 to 225,000 for the week ending November 5th, after reporting 218,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average declined to 218,750 from 219,000 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 6,000 to 1.493 million for the week ending October 29th.
Read more → -
Market Trends
Weekly Economic Review | November 7, 2022
Nov 7, 2022
The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims edged lower last week reflecting a continued strong demand for labor. The low level of claims is closely watched by the Fed, which is looking for the job market to approach equilibrium. Currently the demand for workers far exceeds supply. Claims in regular state programs decreased 1,000 to 217,000 for the week ending October 29th, after reporting 218,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average declined to 218,750 from 219,250 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 47,000 to 1.485 million for the week ending October 22nd.
Read more → -
Market Trends
Weekly Economic Review | October 31, 2022
Oct 31, 2022
The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims edged higher last week. Companies are hesitant to lay off employees as they recalibrate the demand for labor as rates climb and the economy cools. Claims in regular state programs increased 3,000 to 217,000 for the week ending October 22nd, after reporting 214,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average climbed to 219,000 from 212,250 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 55,000 to 1.438 million for the week ending October 15th.
Read more → -
Market Trends
Weekly Economic Review | October 24, 2022
Oct 24, 2022
The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims decreased last week to a three-week low, indicating demand for labor continues to show strength despite concerns about the economy. Claims in regular state programs decreased 12,000 to 214,000 for the week ending October 15th, after reporting 226,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average climbed to 212,250 from 211,000 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 21,000 to 1.385 million for the week ending October 28th.
Read more → -
Stephens Spotlights
Q&A With Adam Ward, Senior Vice President
Oct 18, 2022
Adam Ward, a Senior Vice President in the Fixed Income Sales & Trading team at Stephens, has been at the firm for 16 years – his first job out of college. He reflects on the advantages to working at a private firm, what makes a seemingly staid part of the business exciting, and the opportunities available to someone looking to build their career for the long-term.
Read more → -
Market Trends
Weekly Economic Review | October 17, 2022
Oct 17, 2022
The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims increased to a six-week high. The increase was partly due to Hurricane Ian as claims rose by 10 thousand in Florida. Despite the gains, claims are still near their historical low levels, indicating continued strength in the labor market. Claims in regular state programs increased 9,000 to 228,000 for the week ending October 8th, after reporting 219,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average climbed to 211,500 from 206,500 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 3,000 to 1.368 million for the week ending September 24th.
Read more → -
Market Trends
Weekly Economic Review | October 11, 2022
Oct 11, 2022
The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims jumped last week, signaling a significant cooling in labor demand. The increase came even as jobless claims dropped in Florida, where it is still too early to assess the damage from Hurricane Ian. Claims are expected to climb in Florida once offices are reopened in flood impacted areas. Claims in regular state programs increased 29,000 to 219,000 for the week ending October 1st, after reporting a downwardly revised 190,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average edged higher to 206,500 from 206,250 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 15,000 to 1.361 million for the week ending September 24th.
Read more → -
Stephens Spotlights
Q&A with Abby Buchanan, Senior Vice President, Corporate Trading Analyst
Oct 6, 2022
Abby Buchanan is a Senior Vice President corporate trading analyst in Fixed Income at Stephens. In her 30-plus years in financial services, Abby worked in operations, in asset management, as an equity research analyst and now in Fixed Income Sales & Trading on the corporate desk at Stephens. We were able to speak with Abby about her experiences at the firm.
Read more → -
Stephens Spotlights
Q & A with Ray Kreloff, Institutional Sales, Fixed Income
Oct 4, 2022
We build rewarding, long-term careers at Stephens. Learn why Ray Kreloff, Fixed Income sales representative and recent business school grad, is excited to grow with Stephens.
Read more →