The Labor Department reported that <strong>initial jobless claims</strong> declined for the first time in three weeks, signaling that companies continue to retain workers. While the labor market is solid, firms are getting more successful in hiring and retaining workers and under less pressure to raise wages. Claims in regular state programs decreased 2,000 to 250,000 for the week ending August 13th, after reporting a downwardly revised 252,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average fell to 246,750 from 249,500 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 7,000 to 1.437 million for the week ending August 6th.

Five Star Bancorp Prices Subordinated Notes Offering. Stephens Served As Co-Placement Agent In Connection With The Private Placement By Five Star Bancorp | $75 Million | 08/17/2022

Professional Holding Corp. Has Agreed To Merge With Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida. Stephens Served As Exclusive Financial Advisor To Professional Holding Corp. And Rendered A Fairness Opinion To Its Board. | $488.6 Million | 08/08/2022

Transfer Of MMC Studios Into A Continuation Fund. Stephens Acted As Financial Advisor To Novum Capital On The Transfer Of Mmc Studios Into A Continuation Fund With Backing From Institutional Investors.

Murchison Oil And Gas Has Closed On A New Senior Secured Term Loan. Stephens Served As Exclusive Financial Advisor To Murchison In The Transaction. | $225 Million | 06/30/2022

Murchison Oil And Gas Has Issued New Preferred Equity Units. Stephens Served As Exclusive Financial Advisor To Murchison In The Transaction. | $82 Million | 06/30/2022

Ken Garff Automotive Group Completed The Sale Of Its Michigan Platform To Fox Motors. Stephens Served As Exclusive Financial Advisor To Ken Garff Automotive Group.

Wildcat Discovery Technologies Secures Private Placement. Stephens Served As Financial Advisor To Wildcat Discovery Technologies. | $90 Million | 07/13/2022

Safran Has Completed The Sale Of The Safran Aerosystems Arresting Company To Curtiss-Wright. Stephens Served As Exclusive Financial Advisor To Safran | $240 Million | 06/30/2022

Ichor Energy, LLC Has Completed The Divestiture Of Its Assets. Stephens Served As Exclusive Financial Advisor To Ichor Energy, LLC (“Ichor”). | $55 Million | 06/01/2022