Archive for the ‘Unemployment’ Category

U-3 And U-6 Unemployment Rate Long-Term Reference Charts As Of June 7, 2013

Saturday, June 8th, 2013

Shortly after each monthly employment report I have been posting a continual series titled “3 Critical Unemployment Charts.”

Of course, there are many other employment charts that can be displayed as well.

For reference purposes, below are the U-3 and U-6 Unemployment Rate charts from a long-term historical perspective.  Both charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  The U-3 measure is what is commonly referred to as the official unemployment rate; whereas the U-6 rate is officially (per Bureau of Labor Statistics) defined as:

Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force

Of note, many economic observers use the U-6 rate as a (closer) proxy of the actual unemployment rate rather than that depicted by the U-3 measure.

Here is the U-3 chart, currently showing a 7.6% unemployment rate:

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 6-7-13)

UNRATE_6-7-13 7.6 percent

Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Civilian Unemployment Rate [UNRATE] ; U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics; accessed June 8, 2013;

http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/UNRATE

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Here is the U-6 chart, currently showing a 13.8% unemployment rate:

U6RATE_6-7-13 13.8 percent

Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers plus total employed part time for economic reasons  [U6RATE] ; U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics; accessed June 8, 2013;

http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/U6RATE

 

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1643.38 as this post is written

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3 Critical Unemployment Charts – June 2013

Saturday, June 8th, 2013

As I have commented previously, as in the October 6, 2009 post (“A Note About Unemployment Statistics”), in my opinion the official methodologies used to measure the various job loss and unemployment statistics do not provide an accurate depiction; they serve to understate the severity of unemployment.

However, even if one chooses to look at the official statistics, the following charts provide an interesting (and disconcerting) long-term perspective of certain aspects of the officially-stated unemployment situation.

The first two charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  Here is the Median Duration of Unemployment (current value = 17.3 weeks) :

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 6-7-13)

UEMPMED_6-7-13 17.3 weeks

Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Median Duration of Unemployment [UEMPMED] ; U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics; accessed May 4, 2013;

http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/UEMPMED

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Here is the chart for Unemployed 27 Weeks and Over (current value =  4.357 million) :

UEMP27OV_6-7-13 4357

Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Civilians Unemployed for 27 Weeks and Over [UEMP27OV] ; U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics; accessed May 4, 2013;

http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/UEMP27OV

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Lastly, a chart from the CalculatedRisk.com site, from the June 7 post titled “May Employment Report:  175,000 Jobs, 7.6% Unemployment Rate.”  This shows the employment situation vs. that of previous recessions, as shown:

CR 6-7-13 EmployRecMay2013

-

As depicted by these charts, our unemployment problem is severe.  Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any “easy” solutions.

On April 24, 2012 I wrote a five-part blog post titled “The Unemployment Situation Facing The United States”, which discusses various problematical issues concerning the present and future employment situation.

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1643.38 as this post is written

Share

U-3 And U-6 Unemployment Rate Long-Term Reference Charts As Of May 3, 2013

Saturday, May 4th, 2013

Shortly after each monthly employment report I have been posting a continual series titled “3 Critical Unemployment Charts.”

Of course, there are many other employment charts that can be displayed as well.

For reference purposes, below are the U-3 and U-6 Unemployment Rate charts from a long-term historical perspective.  Both charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  The U-3 measure is what is commonly referred to as the official unemployment rate; whereas the U-6 rate is officially (per Bureau of Labor Statistics) defined as:

Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force

Of note, many economic observers use the U-6 rate as a (closer) proxy of the actual unemployment rate rather than that depicted by the U-3 measure.

Here is the U-3 chart, currently showing a 7.5% unemployment rate:

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 5-3-13)

UNRATE_5-3-13 7.5 percent

Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Civilian Unemployment Rate [UNRATE] ; U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics; http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/UNRATE, accessed May 4, 2013

-

Here is the U-6 chart, currently showing a 13.9% unemployment rate:

U6RATE_5-3-13 13.9 percent

Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers plus total employed part time for economic reasons  [U6RATE] ; U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics; http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/U6RATE; accessed May 4, 2013

 

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1614.42 as this post is written

Share

3 Critical Unemployment Charts – May 2013

Saturday, May 4th, 2013

As I have commented previously, as in the October 6, 2009 post (“A Note About Unemployment Statistics”), in my opinion the official methodologies used to measure the various job loss and unemployment statistics do not provide an accurate depiction; they serve to understate the severity of unemployment.

However, even if one chooses to look at the official statistics, the following charts provide an interesting (and disconcerting) long-term perspective of certain aspects of the officially-stated unemployment situation.

The first two charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  Here is the Median Duration of Unemployment (current value = 17.5 weeks) :

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 5-3-13)

UEMPMED_5-3-13 17.5

Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Median Duration of Unemployment [UEMPMED] ; U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics; http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/UEMPMED; accessed May 4, 2013

-

Here is the chart for Unemployed 27 Weeks and Over (current value =  4.353 million) :

UEMP27OV_5-3-13 4353

Data Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Civilians Unemployed for 27 Weeks and Over [UEMP27OV] ; U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics; http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/UEMP27OV; accessed May 4, 2013

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Lastly, a chart from the CalculatedRisk.com site, from the May 3 post titled “April Employment Report:  165,000 Jobs, 7.5% Unemployment Rate.”  This shows the employment situation vs. that of previous recessions, as shown:

CR 5-3-13 - EmployRecApril2013

-

As depicted by these charts, our unemployment problem is severe.  Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any “easy” solutions.

On April 24, 2012 I wrote a five-part blog post titled “The Unemployment Situation Facing The United States”, which discusses various problematical issues concerning the present and future employment situation.

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1614.42 as this post is written

Share

U-3 And U-6 Unemployment Rate Long-Term Reference Charts As Of April 5, 2013

Saturday, April 6th, 2013

Shortly after each monthly employment report I have been posting a continual series titled “3 Critical Unemployment Charts.”

Of course, there are many other employment charts that can be displayed as well.

For reference purposes, below are the U-3 and U-6 Unemployment Rate charts from a long-term historical perspective.  Both charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  The U-3 measure is what is commonly referred to as the official unemployment rate; whereas the U-6 rate is officially (per Bureau of Labor Statistics) defined as:

Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force

Of note, many economic observers use the U-6 rate as a (closer) proxy of the actual unemployment rate rather than that depicted by the U-3 measure.

Here is the U-3 chart, currently showing a 7.6% unemployment rate:

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 4-5-13)

UNRATE_4-5-13 7.6 percent

-

Here is the U-6 chart, currently showing a 13.8% unemployment rate:

U6RATE_4-5-13 13.8 percent

 

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1553.28 as this post is written

Share

3 Critical Unemployment Charts – April 2013

Saturday, April 6th, 2013

As I have commented previously, as in the October 6, 2009 post (“A Note About Unemployment Statistics”), in my opinion the official methodologies used to measure the various job loss and unemployment statistics do not provide an accurate depiction; they serve to understate the severity of unemployment.

However, even if one chooses to look at the official statistics, the following charts provide an interesting (and disconcerting) long-term perspective of certain aspects of the officially-stated unemployment situation.

The first two charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  Here is the Median Duration of Unemployment (current value = 18.1 weeks) :

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 4-5-13)

UEMPMED_4-5-13 18.1

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Here is the chart for Unemployed 27 Weeks and Over (current value =  4.711 million) :

UEMP27OV_4-5-13 4611

-

Lastly, a chart from the CalculatedRisk.com site, from the April 5 post titled “March Employment Report:  88,000 Jobs, 7.6% Unemployment Rate.”  This shows the employment situation vs. that of previous recessions, as shown:

CR 4-5-13 EmployRecMar2013

-

As depicted by these charts, our unemployment problem is severe.  Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any “easy” solutions.

On April 24, 2012 I wrote a five-part blog post titled “The Unemployment Situation Facing The United States”, which discusses various problematical issues concerning the present and future employment situation.

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1553.28 as this post is written

Share

U-3 And U-6 Unemployment Rate Long-Term Reference Charts As Of March 8, 2013

Saturday, March 9th, 2013

Shortly after each monthly employment report I have been posting a continual series titled “3 Critical Unemployment Charts.”

Of course, there are many other employment charts that can be displayed as well.

For reference purposes, below are the U-3 and U-6 Unemployment Rate charts from a long-term historical perspective.  Both charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  The U-3 measure is what is commonly referred to as the official unemployment rate; whereas the U-6 rate is officially (per Bureau of Labor Statistics) defined as:

Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force

Of note, many economic observers use the U-6 rate as a (closer) proxy of the actual unemployment rate rather than that depicted by the U-3 measure.

Here is the U-3 chart, currently showing a 7.7% unemployment rate:

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 3-8-13)

UNRATE_3-8-13 7.7 percent

-

Here is the U-6 chart, currently showing a 14.3% unemployment rate:

U6RATE_3-8-13 14.3 percent

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1551.18 as this post is written

Share

3 Critical Unemployment Charts – March 2013

Saturday, March 9th, 2013

As I have commented previously, as in the October 6, 2009 post (“A Note About Unemployment Statistics”), in my opinion the official methodologies used to measure the various job loss and unemployment statistics do not provide an accurate depiction; they serve to understate the severity of unemployment.

However, even if one chooses to look at the official statistics, the following charts provide an interesting (and disconcerting) long-term perspective of certain aspects of the officially-stated unemployment situation.

The first two charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  Here is the Median Duration of Unemployment (current value = 17.8 weeks) :

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 3-8-13)

UEMPMED_3-8-13 17.8 weeks

-

Here is the chart for Unemployed 27 Weeks and Over (current value =  4.797 million) :

UEMP27OV_3-8-13 4797

-

Lastly, a chart from the CalculatedRisk.com site, from the March 8 post titled “February Employment Report:  236,000 Jobs, 7.7% Unemployment Rate.”  This shows the employment situation vs. that of previous recessions, as shown:

CR 3-8-13 EmployRecFeb2013

-

As depicted by these charts, our unemployment problem is severe.  Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any “easy” solutions.

On April 24, 2012 I wrote a five-part blog post titled “The Unemployment Situation Facing The United States”, which discusses various problematical issues concerning the present and future employment situation.

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1551.18 as this post is written

Share

U-3 And U-6 Unemployment Rate Long-Term Reference Charts As Of February 1, 2013

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

Shortly after each monthly employment report I have been posting a continual series titled “3 Critical Unemployment Charts.”

Of course, there are many other employment charts that can be displayed as well.

For reference purposes, below are the U-3 and U-6 Unemployment Rate charts from a long-term historical perspective.  Both charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  The U-3 measure is what is commonly referred to as the official unemployment rate; whereas the U-6 rate is officially (per Bureau of Labor Statistics) defined as:

Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force

Of note, many economic observers use the U-6 rate as a (closer) proxy of the actual unemployment rate rather than that depicted by the U-3 measure.

Here is the U-3 chart, currently showing a 7.9% unemployment rate:

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 2-1-13)

UNRATE_2-1-13 7.9 Percent

-

Here is the U-6 chart, currently showing a 14.4% unemployment rate:

U6RATE_2-1-13 14.4 Percent

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1513.17 as this post is written

Share

3 Critical Unemployment Charts – February 2013

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

As I have commented previously, as in the October 6, 2009 post (“A Note About Unemployment Statistics”), in my opinion the official methodologies used to measure the various job loss and unemployment statistics do not provide an accurate depiction; they serve to understate the severity of unemployment.

However, even if one chooses to look at the official statistics, the following charts provide an interesting (and disconcerting) long-term perspective of certain aspects of the officially-stated unemployment situation.

The first two charts are from the St. Louis Fed site.  Here is the Median Duration of Unemployment (current value = 16.0 weeks) :

(click on charts to enlarge images)(charts updated as of 2-1-13)

UEMPMED_2-1-13 16.0 Weeks

-

Here is the chart for Unemployed 27 Weeks and Over (current value =  4.708 million) :

UEMP27OV_2-1-13 4708

-

Lastly, a chart from the CalculatedRisk.com site, from the February 1 post titled “January Employment Report:  157,000 Jobs, 7.9% Unemployment Rate.”  This shows the employment situation vs. that of previous recessions, as shown:

CR 2-1-13 JobLossesJan2013

-

As depicted by these charts, our unemployment problem is severe.  Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any “easy” solutions.

On April 24, 2012 I wrote a five-part blog post titled “The Unemployment Situation Facing The United States”, which discusses various problematical issues concerning the present and future employment situation.

_____

The Special Note summarizes my overall thoughts about our economic situation

SPX at 1513.17 as this post is written

Share