I want to be sure I’m not demonstrating to you a Pollyanna attitude toward the current state of the economy, but I frequently get irritated with the short-term reporting by news sources and other blogs that thrive on doom and gloom. So keeping in mind that I’m well aware of the challenges we still face, I want to share a few newsy tidbits I think we should enjoy reading:
* U.S. manufacturing continued to expand in December, as the
Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Manufacturing Index
climbed to 57 for the month, its best reading since May.
* The ISM’s Non-Manufacturing Index climbed to 57.1 in December,
led by robust economic activity in the services sector.
* Following a 0.7% decrease in October, U.S. factory orders
surprisingly registered a 0.7% gain in November, according to the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
* According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the economy added
103,000 jobs in December, while the unemployment rate reached
its lowest level since May 2009, falling to 9.4%.
* The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that construction spending
posted its third consecutive monthly gain (0.4%) in November.
* The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) index increased 2.3%
last week. Refinancing applications were also up, rising 3.9%.
* U.S. Department of Labor figures showed that the labor market
continues to improve, as applications for jobless benefits declined
to their lowest level since July 2008.
None of these should necessarily affect any of your financial behaviors, but sometimes you just need to hear some good news. I think these qualify.
