Monthly Archives: December 2013

[12/29/13]  The world economy should snap a three-year stretch of slowing growth in 2014, although the upturn over the next 12 months looks likely to be incremental rather than a leap forward. With stock markets rallying in the twilight days of this year and recent indicators for major economies looking brighter, confidence among investors and analysts is high going into 2014. The U.S. Federal Reserve provided a concrete example of that optimism earlier this month when it decided to start curtailing its unprecedented monetary stimulus, based on the strength of recent signals from the economy. The International Monetary Fund, in its October set of forecasts, expects global economic growth...

[12/26/13]  The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in nearly a month, a hopeful sign for the labor market, while holiday retail sales rose in November and December. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased 42,000 to a seasonally adjusted 338,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday. While the holiday season has made recent claims data so volatile it has been difficult to interpret, Thursday's report showed claims continue in a range that supports expectations for faster economic growth next year. "With labor markets on the mend and consumer confidence on the rise, we look for broader economic improvement...