All American Investor

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES - SEPTEMBER 2013

2013-10-23T11:41:00.000-04:00

U.S. import prices advanced 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

The increase in each of the past two months was led by rising fuel prices.

The price index for U.S. exports rose 0.3 percent in September after falling the previous six months.

Imports

All Imports: Import prices rose 0.2 percent in September following a 0.2 percent advance the previous month. Those were the first monthly increases for the index since a 0.9 percent rise in February. Higher fuel prices were the largest contributor to the September advance in overall import prices, although nonfuel prices increased as well. Despite the recent advances, import prices declined 1.0 percent over the past 12 months, the second consecutive month of decreasing year-over-year changes.

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel rose 0.6 percent in September, after advancing 1.6 percent in August. In September, a 0.8 percent increase in petroleum prices, the largest component of imported fuels, more than offset a 6.9 percent drop in natural gas prices. Even with the September increase, fuel prices fell 0.2 percent over the past 12 months, led by a 0.4 percent drop in petroleum prices. In contrast, natural gas prices increased 8.3 percent over the past year.

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices ticked up 0.1 percent in September, the first advance since a 0.1 percent rise in February. A 0.6 percent increase in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices was the largest contributor to the overall advance, while prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose as well.

Despite the September increase, the price index for nonfuel imports fell 1.2 percent over the past year.

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The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

US Corporate Profits at All-Time High as GDP Growth Holds at 2.5 Percent

2013-10-01T12:15:00.003-04:00

The Bureau of Economic Analysis released new data showing that corporate profits reached an all-time nominal high in the second quarter of 2013.

Profits before tax rose to 12.53 percent of GDP from 12.22 percent in the previous quarter, as the following chart shows.

That was just fractionally short of the all-time high of 12.60 percent reached in the final quarter of 2011.

At the same time, the BEA confirmed that GDP grew by 2.5 percent, the same as the August estimate.

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

What Will the Government Shutdown Cost?

2013-10-01T12:11:00.005-04:00

The most important issue facing the US markets and economy is the pending government shutdown. If this expands into a debt default, the implications reach worldwide. As I accurately forecast last week:

“Despite a busy economic calendar this week will focus on Washington and the inability to compromise on important decisions. There are two key questions:

Can a government shutdown be avoided?
Will the U.S. default on its debt, by failing to raise the debt ceiling?”

The background and discussion still reads well, so I urge readers to check that out as a refresher.

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- AUGUST 2013

2013-09-06T12:03:00.002-04:00

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 169,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 7.3 percent, the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Employment rose in retail trade and health care but declined in information.

All American Investor

Household Survey Data

Both the number of unemployed persons, at 11.3 million, and the
unemployment rate, at 7.3 percent, changed little in August. The
jobless rate is down from 8.1 percent a year ago. (See table A-1.)

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men
(7.1 percent), adult women (6.3 percent), teenagers (22.7 percent),
whites (6.4 percent), blacks (13.0 percent), and Hispanics (9.3
percent) showed little change in August. The jobless rate for Asians
was 5.1 percent (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year
earlier. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.)

In August, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27
weeks or more) was about unchanged at 4.3 million. These individuals
accounted for 37.9 percent of the unemployed. Over the past 12 months,
the number of long-term unemployed has declined by 733,000. (See
table A-12.)

The civilian labor force participation rate edged down to 63.2 percent
in August. The employment-population ratio, at 58.6 percent, was
essentially unchanged. (See table A-1.)

The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons
(sometimes referred to as involuntary part-time workers) declined by
334,000 to 7.9 million in August. These individuals were working part
time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable
to find a full-time job. (See table A-8.)

In August, 2.3 million persons were marginally attached to the labor
force, down by 219,000 from a year earlier. (The data are not
seasonally adjusted.) These individuals were not in the labor force,
wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime
in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because
they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.
(See table A-16.)

Among the marginally attached, there were 866,000 discouraged workers
in August, essentially unchanged from a year earlier. (The data are
not seasonally adjusted.) Discouraged workers are persons not
currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available
for them. The remaining 1.5 million persons marginally attached to the
labor force in August had not searched for work for reasons such as
school attendance or family responsibilities. (See table A-16.)

Establishment Survey Data

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 169,000 in August, about
in line with the average monthly gain of 184,000 over the prior 12
months. In August, job growth occurred in retail trade and health
care, while employment in information declined. Employment continued
to trend up in food services and drinking places, professional and
business services, and wholesale trade. (See table B-1.)

Retail trade added 44,000 jobs in August and has added 393,000 jobs
over the past 12 months. In August, job growth occurred in clothing
stores (+14,000), food and beverage stores (+12,000), general
merchandise stores (+9,000), and electronics and appliance stores
(+4,000).

Employment in health care increased by 33,000 in August. Within the
industry, most of the job growth occurred in ambulatory care
services (+27,000).

In August, employment in professional and business services continued
to trend up (+23,000). Over the past 12 months, this industry has
added 614,000 jobs. Employment in temporary help services changed
little in August.

Within leisure and hospitality, employment in food services and
drinking places continued to trend up in August (+21,000). Over the
year, food services and drinking places has added 354,000 jobs.

In August, wholesale trade employment continued to trend up (+8,000).
This industry has added 83,000 jobs over the past 12 months.

Within manufacturing, employment in motor vehicles and parts rose by
19,000 in August, after declining by 10,000 in July. Auto manufacturers
laid off more workers for model changeover in July than in recent years.
The return of laid-off workers contributed to the increase in August.
Over the past 12 months, auto manufacturers have added 34,000 jobs.

Within information, the motion picture and sound recording industry
lost 22,000 jobs in August, following a gain of 8,000 in July.

Employment in other major industries, including mining and logging,
construction, transportation and warehousing, financial activities,
and government, showed little or no change in August.

The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls
increased by 0.1 hour in August to 34.5 hours. In manufacturing, the
workweek increased by 0.1 hour to 40.8 hours, and overtime increased
by 0.2 hour to 3.4 hours. The average workweek for production and
nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at
33.6 hours. (See tables B-2 and B-7.)

In August, average hourly earnings for all employees on private
nonfarm payrolls rose by 5 cents to $24.05. Over the year, average
hourly earnings have risen by 52 cents, or 2.2 percent. In August,
average hourly earnings of private-sector production and
nonsupervisory employees rose by 4 cents to $20.20. (See tables B-3
and B-8.)

The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for June was revised
from +188,000 to +172,000, and the change for July was revised from
+162,000 to +104,000. With these revisions, employment gains in June
and July combined were 74,000 less than previously reported.

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Employment Situation

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

21 Percent of Married-Couple Households Have at Least One Foreign-Born Spouse

2013-09-05T14:38:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Census Bureau reported today that 11.4 million married-couple households, or 21 percent of all married-couple households in America in 2011, had at least one spouse born in another country.

About 13 percent (7.3 million) of households had two foreign-born spouses, and 7 percent (4.1 million) had one native-born and one foreign-born spouse.

All American Investor

These statistics come from Married-Couple Households by Nativity Status: 2011, a brief that analyzes data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

Census Bureau Reports 21 Percent of Married-Couple Households Have at Least One Foreign-Born Spouse “The number of mixed-nativity married-couple households corresponds with the increase in immigration to the United States over the last several decades,” said Elizabeth Grieco, chief of the Census Bureau’s Foreign-Born Population Branch. “As the immigrant population has grown, so has the chance that a native-born person will meet and marry a foreign-born spouse.”

There were approximately 56 million married-couple households in the United States in 2011.

Of the households where husband and wife were both foreign-born residents, about 61 percent included at least one naturalized citizen spouse, including 41 percent where both were naturalized U.S. citizens and 20 percent where only one spouse was naturalized.

Other highlights from the brief:

--Among the mixed-nativity married-couple households — households with one native-born and one foreign-born spouse — the foreign-born spouse was more likely to be the wife (55 percent) than the husband (45 percent).

--Foreign-born spouses in mixed-nativity married-couple households were more likely to be naturalized U.S. citizens (61 percent) than noncitizens (39 percent).

--Foreign-born spouses in mixed-nativity married-couple households were most likely to have been born in Latin America and the Caribbean (40 percent), followed by Europe (26 percent) and Asia (23 percent).

--Foreign-born husbands in mixed-nativity married-couple households were more likely than foreign-born wives to have been born in Latin America and the Caribbean. In contrast, foreign-born wives were more likely than foreign-born husbands to have been born in Asia.

--Among all states, Hawaii (16 percent) had the highest percentage of married-couple households that were of mixed nativity, while Mississippi, South Dakota and West Virginia (2 percent in each state) had the lowest percentages.

This nativity status brief, based on data collected from the American Community Survey, focuses on married-couple households, defined as households including a householder with a spouse present.

Households consisting of a married householder with an absent spouse or an unmarried householder with an unmarried partner present were not included in this analysis. In addition, married couples in which neither spouse is a householder were not included.

The American Community Survey is an ongoing statistical survey sent to about 3 million households across the country each year.

The survey provides a wide range of important statistics about people and housing for every community across the nation.

The results are used by everyone from town and city planners to retailers and homebuilders. The survey is the only source of local statistics for most of the 40 topics it covers, such as education, occupation, language, ancestry and housing costs for even the smallest communities.

Ever since Thomas Jefferson directed the first census in 1790, the census has collected detailed characteristics about our nation’s people.

Questions about jobs and the economy were added 20 years later under James Madison, who said such information would allow Congress to “adapt the public measures to the particular circumstances of the community,” and over the decades allow America “an opportunity of marking the progress of the society.”

CB13-157

Public Information Office

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

30 Year Conventional Mortgage Rate Chart 932013

2013-09-03T20:47:00.001-04:00

4.46 Percent

All American Investor

2013-08: 4.46 Percent
2013-07: 4.37
2013-06: 4.07
2013-05: 3.54
2013-04: 3.45

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate Graph 2013-08-28

2013-08-29T21:18:00.003-04:00

2.78 Percent

All American Investor

2013-08-28: 2.78 Percent
2013-08-27: 2.72
2013-08-26: 2.79
2013-08-23: 2.82
2013-08-22: 2.90

For further information regarding treasury constant maturity data, please refer to http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/current/h15.pdf and http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/yieldmethod.aspx.

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Q2 2013

2013-08-29T21:13:00.000-04:00

2013:Q2: 16,667.9 Billions of Dollars

All American Investor

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

Census Bureau Releases Health Insurance Coverage Estimates

2013-08-29T11:52:00.002-04:00

The Census Bureau today released its 2011 Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE).

The estimates show the number of people with and without health insurance for all states and each of the nation’s roughly 3,140 counties. The statistics are provided by broad age group, sex, race and Hispanic origin, and at income levels that reflect thresholds for state and federal assistance programs. The data can be used to assess annual changes in health insurance coverage from 2008 through 2011.

The release includes a 2011 highlights document that describes demographic and economic differences in health insurance status across states and counties, as well as geographic variation and time trends in health insurance status. The document also includes a number of maps that are available for download from the SAHIE website.

SAHIE can be a useful tool when evaluating the impacts of health care policy changes at the state and county levels. SAHIE provides estimates of the uninsured at incomes 0 to 138 percent of the federal poverty threshold. This group may qualify for Medicaid in participating states. The 0 to 400 percent group provides estimates of the uninsured population that may qualify for the Health Insurance Exchanges or for Medicaid. To make quick evaluations of your state’s potential program participants, visit the SAHIE interactive data and mapping tool on the SAHIE website. The tool allows users to create and download state and county custom tables and thematic maps, and state health insurance coverage time trend charts.

The SAHIE program models health insurance coverage by combining survey data with population estimates and administrative records. Specifically, it uses the American Community Survey, demographic population estimates, aggregated federal tax returns, participation records for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, County Business Patterns, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program participation records, and the 2010 Census.

At present, SAHIE is the only source of health insurance estimates for all counties. There are no county estimates derived from the Current Population Survey. In September, the Census Bureau will release 2012 health insurance coverage estimates for counties with a population of 65,000 or more from the American Community Survey. The following month, similar estimates will be released for counties with a population of 20,000 or more using data collected from 2010 to 2012. In December, for the first time, statistics on health insurance coverage for all areas, regardless of size, will be released based on American Community Survey data collected from 2008 to 2012.

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

PRODUCTIVITY AND COSTS, Second Quarter 2013

2013-08-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

PRODUCTIVITY AND COSTS, Second Quarter 2013, Preliminary

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 0.9 percent annual rate during the second quarter of 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

The increase in productivity reflects increases of 2.6 percent in output and 1.7 percent in hours worked. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are seasonally adjusted annual rates.)

From the second quarter of 2012 to the second quarter of 2013, productivity was unchanged as output and hours worked both increased 1.8 percent. (See table A.)

Labor productivity, or output per hour, is calculated by dividing an index of real output by an index of hours worked of all persons, including employees, proprietors, and unpaid family workers.

Continue reading the detailed release

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing.
Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren E. Buffett

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

Consumer Price Index - July 2013

2013-08-15T10:13:00.004-04:00

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.0 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The rise in the seasonally adjusted all items index was the result of
increases in a broad array of indexes including shelter, gasoline,
apparel, and food. Despite the gasoline increase, the energy index
rose only 0.2 percent as the natural gas and electricity indexes
declined. The increase in the food index was caused by a sharp rise
in the fruits and vegetables index; other food indexes were mixed.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in
July, the third straight such increase. Along with the advances in
the shelter and apparel indexes, the indexes for medical care,
tobacco, and new vehicles all rose. In contrast, the indexes for
household furnishings and operations, airline fares, and used cars
and trucks all declined in July.

The all items index increased 2.0 percent over the last 12 months.
The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.7 percent
over the last year; this compares to 1.6 percent for the 12 months
ending June. The energy index has risen 4.7 percent over the last 12
months, its largest increase since the 12 months ending February
2012. The food index has risen 1.4 percent, the same figure as in May
and June.

Read the Detailed Report

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

REAL EARNINGS * JULY 2013

2013-08-15T10:09:00.001-04:00

Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.2 percent from June to July, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

This decline stems from a 0.1 percent decrease in average hourly earnings and a 0.2 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Real average weekly earnings fell 0.5 percent over the month due to the decrease in real average hourly earnings and a 0.3 percent decrease in the average workweek.

Real average hourly earnings fell 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, from July 2012 to July 2013. The decrease in real average hourly earnings, combined with an unchanged average workweek, resulted in a 0.1 percent decrease in real average weekly earnings over this period.

Production and nonsupervisory employees

Real average hourly earnings for production and nonsupervisory employees fell 0.1 percent from June to July, seasonally adjusted. This decrease stems from unchanged average hourly earnings and a 0.2 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).

Real average weekly earnings fell 0.5 percent over the month due to the decrease in real average hourly earnings combined with a 0.3 percent decrease in the average workweek.

Real average hourly earnings fell 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, from July 2012 to July 2013. The decrease in real average hourly earnings, combined with a 0.3 percent decline in the average workweek, resulted in a 0.4 percent decrease in real average weekly earnings over this period.

REAL EARNINGS – JULY 2013

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES - JULY 2013

2013-08-14T09:51:00.000-04:00

The Producer Price Index for finished goods was unchanged in July, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Prices for finished goods moved up 0.8 percent in June and 0.5 percent in May.

At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods also were unchanged in July, and the crude goods index rose 1.2 percent.

On an unadjusted basis, prices for finished goods advanced 2.1 percent for the 12 months ended July 2013. (See table A.)

Continue reading - Producer Price Index

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

U.S. Trade Gap Narrows, Brightening Growth Outlook

2013-08-06T15:17:00.000-04:00

The trade gap fell more than 22% during the month, to $34.2 billion from $44.1 billion, the Commerce Department said.

Exports notched their sharpest rise since September 2012, hitting their highest level, adjusted for inflation, on record.

Imports fell in part because Americans bought far fewer foreign-made cellphones and other consumer goods.

U.S. Trade Gap Narrows, Brightening Growth Outlook http://t.co/Iu9UWgBYvt
— AlzheimersRead (@ALZHEIMERSread) August 6, 2013

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

Ask Obama About Housing

2013-08-06T12:06:00.000-04:00

The President is sitting down to answer your questions about his plan during a live online event hosted by Zillow, the online real estate market place, with media partner Yahoo!.

Ask President Obama Your Questions About Housing http://t.co/RQgWUXgtfD
— AlzheimersRead (@ALZHEIMERSread) August 6, 2013

On Wednesday, August 7th at 1:00 p.m. ET, the President will answer questions submitted by homeowners, renters, and prospective buyers during a conversation moderated by Zillow’s CEO Spencer Rascoff.

Right now, you can start asking questions using the hashtag #AskObamaHousing. Here are all the ways you can share a question:

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

Civilian Unemployment Rate (UNRATE) 72013

2013-08-03T12:46:00.001-04:00

7.4 Percent Monthly, Seasonally Adjusted, Updated

The unemployment rate represents the number of unemployed as a percentage of the labor force. Labor force data are restricted to people 16 years of age and older, who currently reside in 1 of the 50 states or the District of Columbia, who do not reside in institutions (e.g., penal and mental facilities, homes for the aged), and who are not on active duty in the Armed Forces.

Source U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Release Employment Situation

2013-07: 7.4
2013-06: 7.6
2013-05: 7.6
2013-04: 7.5
2013-03: 7.6

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

Civilian Employment-Population Ratio (EMRATIO) 72013

2013-08-03T12:38:00.001-04:00

58.7 Percent Monthly, Seasonally Adjusted, Updated: 2013-08-02

2013-07: 58.7
2013-06: 58.7
2013-05: 58.6
2013-04: 58.6
2013-03: 58.5

Source: U.S. Department of Labor: Civilian Employment-Population Ratio
Release: Employment Situation

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

U.S. ECONOMIC STATISTICS - MONTHLY DATA

2013-08-02T11:05:00.002-04:00

Monitoring the Economy.

The Office of Economic Policy monitors key economic indicators to produce the following summary tables of monthly and quarterly U.S. economic statistics.

Click here for a better view and more economic statistics

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- JULY 2013

2013-08-02T09:51:00.001-04:00

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in July, and the unemployment rate edged down to 7.4 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Employment rose in retail trade, food services and drinking places, financial activities, and wholesale trade.

Household Survey Data

Both the number of unemployed persons, at 11.5 million, and the unemployment rate, at 7.4 percent,edged down in July. Over the year, these measures were down by 1.2 million and 0.8 percentagepoint, respectively. (See table A-1.)

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult women (6.5 percent) and blacks(12.6 percent) declined in July. The rates for adult men (7.0 percent), teenagers (23.7 percent), whites (6.6 percent), and Hispanics (9.4 percent) showed little or no change. The jobless rate for Asians was 5.7 percent (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year earlier. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.)

In July, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 4.2 million. These individuals accounted for 37.0 percent of the unemployed. The number of long-term unemployed has declined by 921,000 over the past year. (See table A-12.)

The civilian labor force participation rate was 63.4 percent in July, little changed over the month. The employment-population ratio was unchanged at 58.7 percent. (See table A-1.)

The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons (sometimes referred to as involuntary part-time workers) was essentially unchanged at 8.2 million in July. These individuals were working part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job. (See table A-8.)

In July, 2.4 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force, little changed from a year earlier. (The data are not seasonally adjusted.) These individuals were not in the labor force, wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey. (See table A-16.)

Among the marginally attached, there were 988,000 discouraged workers in July, up by 136,000 from a year earlier. (The data are not seasonally adjusted.) Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them. The remaining 1.4 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in July had not searched for work for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities. (See table A-16.)

Continue reading and get all the details -

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- JULY 2013

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

A Record 21.6 Million Young Adults Live in Their Parents’ Home

2013-08-01T16:23:00.000-04:00

Millennials will become known as the lazy, sponge generation.

36% of the nation’s young adults ages 18 to 31—the so-called Millennial generation—were living in their parents’ home, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

Read - A Rising Share of Young Adults Live in Their Parents’ Home

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

Favorability of Leading GOP Figures

2013-08-01T16:08:00.000-04:00

Among seven prominent Republicans tested, all of whom garner more favorable than unfavorable ratings, Paul Ryan enjoys the most positive image.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) Republican and Republican-leaning voters view the former vice-presidential candidate favorably while just 15% have an unfavorable view. Rand Paul and Marco Rubio also are popular; about half have favorable impressions of each, while only about two-in-ten have unfavorable impressions.

About half (47%) of Republican voters also rate Chris Christie positively, yet unfavorable opinions of the New Jersey governor (at 30%) are higher than for Ryan, Paul or Rubio. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, while not very well known among GOP voters, is rated positively (33% favorable, 13% unfavorable).

Ryan, Paul and Cruz are viewed more positively by Tea Party Republicans than among others in the party. By contrast, Christie’s unfavorableNo Clear Republican Party Leader rating among Tea Party Republicans (35%) is the highest of any Republican tested.

While there is no consensus on who is the leader of the Republican Party currently (this is common for the party not holding the presidency), many of these figures elicited mentions from respondents, with House Speaker John Boehner leading the list (named by 10% of respondents).

Boehner is viewed favorably by 44% of GOP voters, and unfavorably by nearly three-in-ten (29%). Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell remains comparatively less well known (40% don’t provide an opinion), with 36% rating McConnell favorably while 24% rate him unfavorably.

Read the indepth report from Pew Research -

Ryan Has Broad Appeal, Christie Viewed More Unfavorably by Tea Party Republicans

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX - JUNE 2013

2013-07-31T09:08:00.002-04:00

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.5 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending June 2013, following a similar 3-month percent increase in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) rose 0.4 percent in the June quarter, similar to the 0.5 percent increase for the previous period.

Benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation) increased 0.4 percent, compared to a 0.6 percent increase for the 3-month period ending in March.

EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX - JUNE 2013 http://t.co/JDiee9OdSo pic.twitter.com/H51AoRmv0X
— AlzheimersRead (@ALZHEIMERSread) July 31, 2013

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/eci.nr0.htm

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

30 Year Conventional Mortgage Rate 725

2013-07-30T15:37:00.000-04:00

4.31 Percent

Last 5 observations

2013-07-25: 4.31 Percent
2013-07-18: 4.37
2013-07-11: 4.51
2013-07-04: 4.29
2013-06-27: 4.46

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

Labor Day 2013: Sept. 2

2013-07-23T14:59:00.001-04:00

The first observance of Labor Day was likely on Sept. 5, 1882, when some 10,000 workers assembled in New York City for a parade.

That celebration inspired similar events across the country, and by 1894 more than half the states were observing a “workingmen’s holiday” on one day or another.

Later that year, with Congress passing legislation and President Grover Cleveland signing the bill on June 29, the first Monday in September was designated “Labor Day.”

This national holiday is a creation of the labor movement in the late 19th century — and pays tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers.

Who Are We Celebrating?

155.7 million

Number of people 16 and over in the nation’s labor force in May 2013.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Table A-1

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Our Jobs

Largest Occupations May 2012, Number of employees

Retail salespeople 4,340,000

Cashiers 3,314,010

Combined food preparation and serving workers, 2,943,810

including fast food

Office clerks, general 2,808,100

Registered nurses 2,633,980

Waiters and waitresses 2,332,020

Customer service representatives 2,299,750

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand 2,143,940

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping 2,097,380

cleaners

Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal 2,085,680

medical, and executive

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment and wages for the largest and smallest occupations, May 2012,

847,516

The number of paid employees (for pay period including March 12) who worked for a gasoline station in the U.S. in 2011. Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a holiday in February 1887. Oregon (9,634 paid gasoline station employees), along with New Jersey (15,734 paid gasoline station employees), are the only states without self-service gasoline stations.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns

15.9 million

The number of wage and salary workers age 16 and over represented by a union in 2012. This group includes both union members (14.4 million) and workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union contract (1.6 million).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Table 1

14.5 million

Number of female workers 16 and over in service occupations in 2011. Among male workers

16 and over, 11.2 million were employed in service-related occupations.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table C24010

1.9%

Percentage increase in employment in the U.S. between December 2011 and

December 2012. Employment increased in 287 of the 328 largest counties (large counties are defined as having employment levels of 75,000 or more).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

7.4%

Percentage increase over the year in employment in Elkhart, Ind., between December 2011 and December 2012, compared with national job growth of 1.9 percent. Within Elkhart, the largest employment increase occurred in manufacturing, which gained 5,479 jobs over the year.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Another Day, Another Dollar

$48,202 and $37,118

The 2011 real median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively.

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011, Table A-4

Fastest Growing Jobs

70%

Projected percentage growth from 2010 to 2020 in the number of personal care aides (607,000). Analysts expect this occupation to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is registered nurses (711,900).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employee Benefits

84.7%

Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2011. Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011, derived from Table 7

Say Goodbye to Summer

Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.

25,448

The number of shoe stores for back-to-school shopping in 2011. Other choices of retail establishments abound: there were 28,128 family clothing stores, 7,093 children and infants clothing stores, 8,144 office supply and stationery stores, 8,407 bookstores and 8,625 department stores.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns

21,227

The number of sporting goods stores nationwide in 2011. In U.S. sports, college football teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns

48,548

The number of travel agents employed full time, year-round in 2011. In addition, there were 15,067 tour and travel guides employed full time, year-round nationwide, according to the 2011 American Community Survey. On a weekend intended to give U.S. workers a day of rest, many climb into their drivers' seats or board an airplane for a quick end of the summer getaway.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B24124

The Commute to Work

5.7 million

Number of commuters who left for work between midnight and 4:59 a.m. in 2011. They represented 4.3 percent of all commuters.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B08132

4.3%

Percentage of workers 16 and over who worked from home in 2011.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B08128

76.4%

Percentage of workers 16 and over who drove alone to work in 2011. Another 9.7 percent carpooled and 2.8 percent walked from home.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table S0801

25.5 minutes

The average time it took workers in the U.S. to commute to work in 2011. Maryland and New York had the most time-consuming commutes, averaging 32.2 and 31.5 minutes, respectively.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table R0801

For detailed information on the data force, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor

30-Year Conventional Mortgage Rate 718

2013-07-22T21:59:00.002-04:00

4.37

2013-07-18: 4.37 Percent
2013-07-11: 4.51
2013-07-04: 4.29
2013-06-27: 4.46
2013-06-20: 3.93

Original content +Bob DeMarco , All American Investor