Origin Bancorp, Inc. has agreed To acquire BT Holdings, Inc. Stephens served as exclusive financial advisor to and rendered a fairness opinion to its board. | $313.5 Million | 02/24/2022

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims declined for the second straight week last week. Claims are retreating from an Omicron induced spike in the middle of January, consistent with the curve of Omicron cases that also peaked in mid-January. Claims in regular state programs decreased 23,000 to 238,000 for the week ending January 29th, after reporting 261,000 initial claims prior week. The four-week moving average climbed to 255,000 from 247,250 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, decreased 44,000 to 1.628 million for the week ending January 22nd.

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims increased slightly last week as the number of weekly claims settle at a very low level. Employers are finding it difficult to attract and retain workers as there are a record level of open positions available and limited supply of available workers. Claims in regular state programs increased 14,000 to 202,000 for the week ending March 26th, after reporting 188,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average fell to 208,500 from 212,000 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, declined 35,000 to 1.307 million for the week ending March 19th.

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims have fallen in each of the last three weeks. The report reflects a continually tightening labor market and there is no reason to believe this will change anytime soon. Layoffs are low and companies are struggling to fill open positions. Claims in regular state programs decreased 16,000 to 223,000 for the week ending February 5th, after reporting 239,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average edged lower to 253,250 from 255,250 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, remained unchanged at 1.21 million for the week ending January 29th.

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims increased for the first time in four weeks last week. The gains were concentrated in three states with large jumps in Missouri, Ohio and Kentucky, but the overall trend is positive for the labor market. Demand for labor remains strong and job openings are plentiful. Claims in regular state programs increased 23,000 to 248,000 for the week ending February 12th, after reporting 225,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average declined to 243,250 from 253,750 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, fell 26,000 to 1.59 million for the week ending February 5th.

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims fell last week, reversing the previous weeks increase and continuing the declining trend. Demand for labor remains strong and job openings are plentiful. Claims in regular state programs decreased 17,000 to 232,000 for the week ending February 19th, after reporting 249,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average declined to 236,250 from 243,500 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, fell 112,000 to 1.476 million for the week ending February 12th.

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims edged higher last week and seem set to fluctuate around current low levels. Demand for labor remains strong with job openings at record highs. Claims in regular state programs increased 11,000 to 227,000 for the week ending March 5th, after reporting 216,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average climbed to 231,250 from 230,750 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, climbed 25,000 to 1.494 million for the week ending February 26th.

Stephens, an independent financial services firm, announced effective today, the retirement of Rick Nelson, managing director and the lead equity research analyst of its retail hardlines practice. Mr. Nelson spent 24 years with Stephens, earning a reputation for incisive investment research focused on automotive and specialty retailers.

The Stephens Insurance Employee Benefits team creates customized strategies designed to bring transparency to the pharmacy market. This space can be quite opaque for employers without proper guidance. Yet many of them take a “do-nothing” approach with their Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM), which puts the employer at risk of incurring increases in out-of-pocket prescription costs that exceed 7% per year. By working with self-funded health plans, the Stephens Pharmacy Intervention approach can lower a client’s plan paid prescription spend by anywhere from 10% to over 55%, depending on the scope of services that clients request.

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims continued its drift lower last week, reflecting a strong labor market where openings are at record highs and employers are reluctant to release workers. Claims in regular state programs decreased 15,000 to 214,000 for the week ending March 12th, after reporting 229,000 initial claims the prior week.