The U.S. economy added jobs at a faster pace in December, the jobless rate held steady, and wages rose at a faster-than-anticipated pace.

Job Openings Declined to a 31-month Low

Jan 3, 2024
Brian Turner
The number of job openings in November edged down, the number of hires decreased, and the number of separations fell as labor market conditions softened in the month.

The PCE price index and core PCE price index declined to the lowest levels in more than two years.

The sale of newly built homes declined sharply after elevated mortgage rates and higher home prices raised affordability challenges. The decline in home sales was the steepest since April 2022.

Real gross domestic product growth accelerated in the third quarter from the second quarter after consumer and government spending, private inventory investment, and higher exports and imports. The growth was revised slightly lower after the third estimate.

Existing home sales expanded in November after falling for five consecutive months. Median home prices rose in the month, the fifth monthly price increase in a row.

A decline in mortgage rates and low housing inventory drove housing starts in November to a six-month high.



Retail sales in November advanced after nonstore sales surged and food and drink sales registered healthy gains.

The Federal Reserve held its key lending rate range steady for the third time in a row and left rates at a 22-year high, and policymakers laid the groundwork for cutting rates in 2024. The committee revised its higher 2023 economic growth projection, held the unemployment rate, and lowered its inflation outlook.

Wholesale inflation was unchanged in November from the previous month but rose at a slower pace from a year ago.

Consumer price inflation eased in November after energy prices declined, offset by higher food and shelter costs. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, held steady at a level significantly ahead of the Fed's target rate of 2%.

The US economy added more jobs in November than in the previous month, and September job gains were revised higher. The unemployment rate eased in November, and wages were consistent with market expectations.

The U.S. goods and services trade deficit expanded in October after exports fell and imports edged up slightly. The goods deficit widened faster than the increase in the services surplus.

Job openings fell across several industries and in all regions across the nation, but new hires and quits were little changed in October.



PCE Price Index Slowed In October

Nov 30, 2023
Brian Turner
The personal consumption price index slowed in October, the inflation measure was flat from the previous month and fell from a year ago after the rise in service prices was offset by a decline in energy and goods prices.