Economy

Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week Ending April 3, 2026

2026-04-08T21:42:00.000-04:00

Crude Oil Inventories

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on April 3, 2026 was released this morning:

-- Δ from Last Week: +1,300,000 Barrels (+0.15%)

-- Δ from 1-Year Previous: +38,900,000 Barrels (+4.64%)

-- Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 878,000,000 Barrels

NB: Δ = Change

Diminishing crude oil inventories often translate to higher crude oil and fuel prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click Here for the Weekly Crude Oil Price

Durable Goods Orders During FEBRUARY 2026

2026-04-08T06:43:00.000-04:00

The Durable Goods Orders report for February, 2026 was released by the Commerce Department:

================

New Orders: $296,529,000,000

(+$19,942,000,000 [+7.21%]) Year-on-Year

================

CHART: Durable Goods Orders

Month-on-Month Change
FEBRUARY 2026 UPDATE
(from Seasonally Adjusted Data)

================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the y-o-y change in new orders for durable or hard goods for immediate or future delivery from U.S. manufacturers (NOT seasonally adjusted.)

Examples of durable goods: cars, airplanes, computers, furniture -- items that are built to last at least three years.

================

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

================

ISM Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI®) for March 2026

2026-04-06T14:08:00.001-04:00

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM®) released their Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI®) for March, 2026:

==========

Predicted: 55.0%

Actual: 54.0% (-2.1 points month-on-month change)

==========

Previous month (revised): 56.1%

==========

The NMI is a reliable barometer of the U.S. services sector; above 50% implies expansion, while a reading below 50% implies that the services sector contracted.

==========

From today' report:

"...Economic activity in the services sector continued to expand in March, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest ISM^® Services PMI^® Report. The Services PMI^® registered 54 percent, the 21st consecutive month in expansion territory..."

===========

Here's A Sampling Of Comments
Made By Survey Participants:

"Tariff rollbacks are resulting in favorable price adjustments, but the news of new implementation is driving continued uncertainty. Snowstorms last month disrupted demand and supplier operations, mostly around the availability of labor. Forecasted seasonal growth is starting to materialize due to daylight savings time and higher temperatures.”
[Accommodation & Food Services]

“Transportation disruptions in the Middle East are inhibiting both incoming and outgoing cargoes from the region. While force majeure has been received from several Middle Eastern suppliers, business operations are generally at normal levels and no interruptions, except shipping.”
[Construction]

“We are still in cost cutting and operational streamlining mode as technology continues to advance. We have seen more concessions regarding passing through tariff surcharges. We continue to closely monitor the political situation in the Middle East and how ramifications could impact our supply chain and overall costs.”
[Finance & Insurance]

“As we close out the first quarter, demand for AI computer infrastructure remains incredibly resilient. Customers have opened their 2026 capital budgets, leading to a strong refresh in new order intake. Operationally, our focus has shifted toward efficiency and margin protection.”
[Information]

“Political uncertainty with Iran conflict has resulted in less international business. Domestic business remains consistent with January and February levels.”
[Mining]

“We’re seeing some expansion across the services economy with stronger business activity and new orders. Clients remain active on regulatory, tax planning, and risk management initiatives, though persistent pricing pressures and evolving economic conditions continue to shape project prioritization and budgeting.”
[Professional, Scientific & Technical Services]

“The war in Iran has added an additional layer of uncertainty on top of an already shaky macroeconomic climate. A spike in inflation due to higher oil prices will reduce purchasing power, affecting every industry.”
[Real Estate, Rental & Leasing]

“Recent increases in fuel prices are having a substantial impact on the airline industry, resulting in significantly higher operational costs compared to pricing from just one month ago.”
[Transportation & Warehousing]

“Continued volatility in copper, aluminum and steel markets — driven by supply chain constraints and strong infrastructure demand — has increased costs and lead times for electric utility projects. These conditions are influencing purchasing strategies and capital planning across the industry.”
[Utilities]

“The U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran have created significant uncertainty for our Omani frankincense imports. Threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and rising war-risk surcharges are pressuring regional logistics costs, even for air freight. Combined with the Supreme Court’s emergency tariffs ruling — which replaced our 10-percent tariff with a 15-percent Section 122 tariff — landed costs have increased materially. We are monitoring regional stability closely and maintaining communication with Omani suppliers.”
[Wholesale Trade]

===========

Click here to view the complete ISM report

==========

CHART: ISM Non-Manufacturing (Services) Index
(NMI®) MARCH 2026 Update

==========

Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for FEBRUARY 2026

2026-04-05T23:50:00.000-04:00

Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS*) for February, 2026 was released by the Labor Department this morning:

=============

Job Openings

Predicted: 6,800,000

Actual: 6,882,000

-------------------------

Previous Month (revised): 7,240,000
Change from Previous Month: -4.94% (-358,000)
One-Year Previous: 7,242,000
Change from One-Year Previous: -4.97% (-360,000)

=============

HIRES: 4,849,000

HIRES vs. 12-Months Previous: -7.39% (-387,000)

-----------

QUITS: 2,974,000

QUITS vs. 12-Months Previous: -5.68% (-179,000)

-----------

LAYOFFS + DISCHARGES: 1,721,000

LAYOFFS + DISCHARGES vs. 12-Months Previous: -7.82% (-146,000)

-----------

TOTAL SEPARATIONS ^§: 4,971,000

TOTAL SEPARATIONS vs. 12-Months Previous: -5.94% (-314,000)

=============

§ = Here's How The Labor Department Defines Total Separations:

"Total separations includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Total separations is referred to as turnover. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations includes separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm."

=============

FEBRUARY 2011 thru FEBRUARY 2026

CHART: Number of Jobless People
per Job Opening, Seasonally Adjusted

=============
=============

* = The JOLTS data series began back in December of 2000.
Click here to view the full Labor Department JOLTS report.

=============

Employment Situation Report for MARCH 2026

2026-04-03T10:45:47.372-04:00

The Employment Situation Report for March, 2026 was released by The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

Nonfarm Payrolls (month-to-month change)
Actual: +178,000

Previous Month (revised): -133,000

One-Year Previous: +67,000

U-3 Unemployment Rate (Headline)
Actual: 4.3%
Previous Month: 4.4%
12-Months Previous: 4.2%

U-6 Unemployment Rate*
Actual: 8.0%
Previous Month: 7.9%
12-Months Previous: 7.9%

Average Hourly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +0.3%
Actual: +0.24% (+$0.09)

Average Hourly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Predicted: +3.5%
Actual: +3.52% (+$1.27)

Average Weekly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Actual: -0.05% (-$0.65)

Average Weekly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Actual: +3.52% (+$43.44)

Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.9%
Previous Month: 62.0%
12-Months Previous: 62.5%

Average Weekly Hours: 34.2 hours
Previous Month (revised): 34.3 hours
One-Year Previous: 34.2 hours

Economist, academics, central bankers and investors pay very close attention to the monthly Employment Situation report as it offers penetrating insight as to the current and near-future state of the overall U.S. economy. If a) Americans are earning more money and b) the economy is creating new jobs, this typically translates to more money being pumped into the economy (and vice versa.)

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

===================

CHART: Civilian Unemployment Rate

MARCH 2006 thru MARCH 2026

===================

* = The U-6 Unemployment Rate is 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."

===================

Click here to view the full Department of Labor report.

===================

U.S. Retail And Food Services Sales Report for FEBRUARY 2026

2026-04-02T23:31:00.000-04:00

The Commerce Department this morning released advance estimates of U.S. Retail and Food Services Sales for February, 2026:

=================

Previous Month (revised): -0.104% (-$762,000,000)

Actual: +0.6% (+$4,411,000,000)

=================

The highlighted percentage above represents the month-to-month, seasonally adjusted change in total sales receipts for retailers that sell durable and non-durable goods, and retailers that provide food and beverage services.

=================

Est. Retail Sales During February, 2026: $738,366,000,000

Year-On-Year Change: +3.71% (+$26,444,000,000)

=================

CHART: Retail Sales - Monthly

February 2006 Thru February 2026
FEBRUARY 2026 UPDATE
=================

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report.

=================

New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of March 28, 2026

2026-04-02T20:10:00.000-04:00

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on March 28, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 210,000

Actual: 202,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

--> Previous Week (revised): 211,000

4-Week Moving Average: 207,750

====================

Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

ISM Manufacturing Index for MARCH 2026

2026-04-02T01:53:00.000-04:00

The Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) released their Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI®) for March, 2026:

=========

Predicted: 52.1%

Actual: 52.7% (+0.3 point month-on-month change)

=========

Previous month: 52.4%

=========

Every month, the ISM surveys purchasing and supply executives at hundreds of companies across the country who are involved in manufacturing in some form. The resulting index is watched closely by academics, economists and investors because manufacturing accounts for about 12% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The PMI is a reliable barometer of U.S. manufacturing: A PMI above 50% implies that U.S. manufacturing expanded during the month specified, while a reading below 50% implies that the made-in-the-USA sector contracted.

=========

From Today's Report:

"...Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in March for the third consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report..."

=========

The Following Is A Sampling Of Quotes
From A Diverse Pool Of U.S. Manufacturers:

“This is expected to be a transition year for the U.S. trucking market, with gradual stabilization driven by capacity tightening and replacement demand instead of growth. Demand should stay constrained by weak carrier profitability and high equipment costs but improve modestly late in the year.”
[Transportation Equipment]

“Changes in the tariff structure are bringing cautious opportunities to offset significant costs for the balance of 2026. The actions in Iran, however, add a new wrinkle to energy costs throughout the world, including India. We continue to try and plan for the unpredictable and unexpected.”
[Transportation Equipment]

“We’re seeing steady increases in activity, but geopolitical issues and the Iran war are already waning sentiment.”
[Fabricated Metal Products]

“Customer orders have increased considerably as the construction market remains strong, resulting in higher production volume and increased forecasts to suppliers.”
[Machinery]

“Current Middle East unrest is already starting to impact business operations by increasing lead times, costs, container delays and the like.”
[Food, Beverage + Tobacco Products]

“Lots of relief from Supreme Court striking down (emergency) tariffs, particularly with organic cane sugar from Brazil.”
[Food, Beverage + Tobacco Products]

“Geopolitical tensions related to the conflict in Iran are contributing to rising manufacturing supply costs, and ongoing tariff uncertainty is negatively impacting purchasing strategies and cost forecasts.”
[Chemical Products]

“Ongoing geopolitical instability has emerged as a persistent factor influencing global trade dynamics. We anticipate strategic realignment of supply chains as organizations respond to energy market volatility and shifting trade policies. In light of these macroeconomic headwinds, we -- like most organizations -- are maintaining a cautious posture regarding investment commitments while continuing to monitor market conditions closely. Our purchasing strategy is being recalibrated to address supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by energy market volatility and evolving trade protectionism.”
[Chemical Products]

“Metal commodity prices continue to put pressure on mechanical commodities. Memory price escalation is causing large cost increases that cannot be mitigated in other areas of the product cost.”
[Computer + Electronic Products]

“The Middle East war has created domestic and global turmoil for the olefins and polyolefins business. Feedstocks and finished product pricing are accelerating dramatically as Middle Eastern and Asian producers suffer from shipping blockages. Global customers for packaging resins are scrambling to cover needs from North America and South America in the face of supply chain complications.”
[Plastics + Rubber Products]

==========

CHART: ISM Manufacturing Index

March 2026 Update

=========

DATA: ISM Manufacturing Index

12-Month History
March 2026 Update

=========

Click here to view the complete ISM report

=========

Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week Ending March 27, 2026

2026-04-01T19:48:00.000-04:00

Crude Oil Inventories

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on March 27, 2026 was released this morning:

-- Δ from Last Week: +5,100,000 Barrels (+0.59%)

-- Δ from 1-Year Previous: +40,500,000 Barrels (+4.84%)

-- Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 876,700,000 Barrels

NB: Δ = Change

Diminishing crude oil inventories often translate to higher crude oil and fuel prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click Here for the Weekly Crude Oil Price

New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of March 21, 2026

2026-03-26T20:16:00.000-04:00

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on March 21, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 210,000

Actual: 210,000

4-Week Moving Average: 210,500

====================

Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week Ending March 20, 2026

2026-03-26T17:49:00.000-04:00

Crude Oil Inventories

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on March 20, 2026 was released this morning:

-- Δ from Last Week: +6,900,000 Barrels (+0.8%)

-- Δ from 1-Year Previous: +41,800,000 Barrels (+5.04%)

-- Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 871,600,000 Barrels

NB: Δ = Change

Diminishing crude oil inventories often translate to higher crude oil and fuel prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click Here for the Weekly Crude Oil Price

Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week Ending March 13, 2026

2026-03-18T19:53:00.000-04:00

Crude Oil Inventories

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on March 13, 2026 was released this morning:

-- Δ from Last Week: +6,200,000 Barrels (+0.72%)

-- Δ from 1-Year Previous: +31,900,000 Barrels (+3.83%)

-- Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 864,700,000 Barrels

NB: Δ = Change

Diminishing crude oil inventories often translate to higher crude oil and fuel prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click Here for the Weekly Crude Oil Price

Producer Price Index - Final Demand (PPI-FD) for FEBRUARY 2026

2026-03-18T13:21:03.744-04:00

Here is the Producer Price Index - Final Demand (PPI-FD) for FEBRUARY, 2026:

===============================
Previous Month (unrevised): +0.5%

Actual: +0.7%

Change from 12 months previous: +3.4%
(prior - unrevised = +2.9%)

=============

Below is the PPI-FD when Food, Energy and Trade Services are removed:

Previous Month (unrevised): +0.3%

Actual: +0.5%

Change from 12 months previous: +3.5%
(prior - unrevised = +3.4%)

===============================

PPI-FD Goods, Year-on-Year: +2.5% (prior = N/A)

PPI-FD Services, Year-on-Year: +3.8% (prior = N/A)

The above, yellow-highlighted percentages represent the month-to-month change in prices received by domestic producers of goods and services, for goods, services and construction in the United States, for final demand.

Final Demand = personal consumption (consumers), exports, government purchases and capital investment.

==============

CHART: Producer Price Index

Final Demand (PPI-FD)
12-Month Percent Change
FEBRUARY 2026 Update

==============

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

==============

Industrial Production + Manufacturing + Capacity Utilization During FEBRUARY 2026

2026-03-17T13:52:43.964-04:00

The Industrial Production, Manufacturing and Capacity Utilization numbers for February, 2026 were released by the Federal Reserve:

Industrial Production:
Previous Month (revised): +0.7%
Actual: +0.2% Month-on-Month (M/M)

Year-on-Year (Y/Y): +1.4%

--> Y/Y Previous: +2.3%

Manufacturing:
Previous Month (revised): +0.8%
Actual: +0.2% (M/M)

Y/Y : +1.3%

--> Y/Y Previous: +2.4%

Capacity Utilization Rate:
Previous Month (revised): 76.3%
Actual: 76.3% (M/M)

Y/Y : +1.4%

--> Y/Y Previous: +1.4%

===============

CHART: Industrial Production
+ Manufacturing
+ Capacity Utilization
FEBRUARY 2026 UPDATE

===============

Click here to view the full Federal Reserve report

===============

Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for JANUARY 2026

2026-03-16T21:02:13.885-04:00

Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS*) for January, 2026 was released by the Labor Department this morning:

=============

Job Openings

Predicted: 6,800,000

Actual: 6,946,000

-------------------------

Previous Month (revised): 6,550,000
Change from Previous Month: +6.05% (+396,000)
One-Year Previous: 7,431,000
Change from One-Year Previous: -6.53% (-485,000)

=============

HIRES: 5,294,000

HIRES vs. 12-Months Previous: +1.07% (+56,000)

-----------

QUITS: 3,137,000

QUITS vs. 12-Months Previous: -2.06% (-66,000)

-----------

LAYOFFS + DISCHARGES: 1,631,000

LAYOFFS + DISCHARGES vs. 12-Months Previous: -6.16% (-107,000)

-----------

TOTAL SEPARATIONS ^§: 5,105,000

TOTAL SEPARATIONS vs. 12-Months Previous: -2.59% (-136,000)

=============

§ = Here's How The Labor Department Defines Total Separations:

"Total separations includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Total separations is referred to as turnover. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations includes separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm."

=============

JANUARY 2011 thru JANUARY 2026

CHART: Number of Jobless People
per Job Opening, Seasonally Adjusted

=============
=============

* = The JOLTS data series began back in December of 2000.
Click here to view the full Labor Department JOLTS report.

=============

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): SECOND Estimate for Q4, 2025

2026-03-13T20:30:00.018-04:00

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its SECOND estimate for U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2025:

============

Previous quarter: +4.4%

Actual: +0.7%

============

The GDP is a very broad measure of economic activity for the entire United States, covering all sectors of the economy. The Commerce Department defines real GDP as, "the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States."

============

CHART: GDP - Quarter-to-Quarter Change

Q4, 2025 - SECOND ESTIMATE

============

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

============

Durable Goods Orders During January 2026

2026-03-13T17:14:00.013-04:00

The Durable Goods Orders report for January, 2026 was released by the Commerce Department:

================

New Orders: $294,344,000,000

(+$24,319,000,000 [+9.01%]) Year-on-Year

================

CHART: Durable Goods Orders
Month-on-Month Change
JANUARY 2026 UPDATE
(from Seasonally Adjusted Data)

================

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

================

PCE Price Index + Personal Income + Consumer Spending Report for JANUARY 2026

2026-03-13T12:06:00.000-04:00

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its report on The PCE Price Index, Consumer Spending and Personal Income for January, 2026:

=============

Consumer Spending (Personal Consumption Expenditures)

Previous Reading (unrevised): +0.4%

Actual: +0.4%

=============

Personal Income

Previous Reading (unrevised): +0.3%

Actual: +0.4%

> Disposable Personal Income (DPI): +0.9%
>> Real DPI: +0.7%*

=============

The above highlighted percentages represent the month-to-month change in Consumer Spending (aka Personal Consumption Expenditures), Personal Income and Disposable Personal Income for the entire United States.

Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index
Previous Reading (unrevised): +0.4%

Actual: +0.3%

Change from 12 months previous: +2.8%
(prior - unrevised = +2.9%)

=====================

Core PCE Price Index
( = PCE Price Index minus food and energy)
Previous Reading (unrevised): +0.4%

Actual: +0.4%

Change from 12 months previous: +3.1%
(prior - unrevised = +3.0%)

=====================

The yellow-highlighted percentages represent the month-to-month change in the prices associated with domestic personal consumption. The PCE Price Index is different from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in that it is a very broad measure of the prices associated with domestic products and services, while the CPI measures a more limited fixed basket of goods and services.

The broad nature of the PCE Price Index is key to why it is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) pays very close attention to it.

=====================

The "predicted" figures are what economists were expecting, while the "actual" figures are the true or real figure.

=====================

CHART: Changes In Monthly Consumer Spending
JANUARY 2026 UPDATE

=====================

Click here to view the full
Commerce Department report (PDF).

=====================

* = Chained dollars is a method of adjusting real dollar amounts for inflation over time, so as to allow comparison of figures from different years. The Commerce Department introduced the chained-dollar measure in 1996. Chained dollars generally reflect dollar figures computed with 2012 as the base year.

Housing Starts During JANUARY 2026

2026-03-12T13:07:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Commerce Department this morning released its Housing Starts report for January, 2026:

---------------------------------------------------

Housing Starts:
Previous Reading (revised): 1,387,000

Actual: 1,487,000

Month-on-Month Change: +7.21% (+100,000 New Units)

Year-on-Year Change: +9.5% (+129,000 New Units)

---------------------------------------------------

Building Permits:
Previous Reading (revised): 1,415,000

Actual: 1,376,000

Month-on-Month Change: -5.43% (-79,000 New Permits)

Year-on-Year Change: -5.75% (-84,000 New Permits)

----------------------------------------------------

Housing Starts: The top, yellow-highlighted figure is a measure of initial construction of single and multi-family residential units in the United States for the indicated month. Seasonally adjusted annual rate. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

If you're wondering about the demand for new homes in the United States, or about the American residential construction industry in general, then you should pay attention to the monthly Housing Starts report. This report also offers insight into specific types of consumer spending: when housing starts are up, demand for the stuff that a consumer would purchase for a new home (large appliances, consumer electronics, furniture, etc.) tends to also rise -- and vice versa.

=================

CHART: Housing Starts
+ Building Permits
+ Completions
JANUARY 2026 UPDATE

=================

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF)

=================

New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of March 7, 2026

2026-03-12T11:01:00.000-04:00

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on March 7, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 215,000

Actual: 213,000

4-Week Moving Average: 212,000

====================

Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week Ending March 6, 2026

2026-03-11T16:17:00.000-04:00

Crude Oil Inventories

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on March 6, 2026 was released this morning:

-- Δ from Last Week: +3,800,000 Barrels (+0.44%)

-- Δ from 1-Year Previous: +27,700,000 Barrels (+3.33%)

-- Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 858,500,000 Barrels

NB: Δ = Change

Diminishing crude oil inventories often translate to higher crude oil and fuel prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click Here for the Weekly Crude Oil Price

Consumer Price Index (CPI) for FEBRUARY 2026

2026-03-11T12:32:00.000-04:00

Earlier this morning, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February, 2026:

=========================================

CPI During February, 2026: 326.785

=========================================

Consumer Price Index (CPI); Headline

Predicted: +0.3%

-> Actual: +0.47% (+1.533 points)

Year-on-Year Change: +2.41% (+7.703 points)

[Y-o-Y previous = +2.39%]

=========================================

CPI, Minus Food + Energy (Core CPI)

Predicted: +0.3%

- > Actual: +0.39% (+1.292 points)

Year-on-Year Change: +2.46% (+7.99 points)

[Y-o-Y previous = +2.5%]

=========================================

The above, yellow- and blue-highlighted figures represent month-to-month and year-on-year changes (not seasonally adjusted) in prices for a specific group of goods and services that consumers buy, and is, therefore, a very important part of the overall inflation picture for the country.

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

General categories that constitute the CPI are:

Healthcare
Housing
Clothing
Communications
Education
Transportation
Food and Beverages
Recreation
Miscellaneous Goods and Services (grooming expenses, etc.)

========================================

CPI During February 2025: 319.082

=======================================

CHART: Consumer Price Index

12-Month Percentage Change
FEBRUARY 2026 Update

========================================

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

========================================

Employment Situation Report for FEBRUARY 2026

2026-03-06T13:34:00.000-05:00

The Employment Situation Report for February, 2026 was released by The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

Nonfarm Payrolls (month-to-month change)
Actual: -92,000

Previous Month (revised): +126,000

One-Year Previous: +42,000

U-3 Unemployment Rate (Headline)
Actual: 4.4%
Previous Month: 4.3%
12-Months Previous: 4.2%

U-6 Unemployment Rate*
Actual: 7.9%
Previous Month: 8.1%
12-Months Previous: 8.0%

Average Hourly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +0.3%
Actual: +0.4% (+$0.15)

Average Hourly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Predicted: +3.5%
Actual: +3.84% (+$1.38)

Average Weekly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Actual: +0.4% (+$5.15)

Average Weekly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Actual: +4.14% (+$50.93)

Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.0%
Previous Month: 62.1%
12-Months Previous: 62.5%

Average Weekly Hours: 34.3 hours
Previous Month (revised): 34.3 hours
One-Year Previous: 34.2 hours

Economist, academics, central bankers and investors pay very close attention to the monthly Employment Situation report as it offers penetrating insight as to the current and near-future state of the overall U.S. economy. If a) Americans are earning more money and b) the economy is creating new jobs, this typically translates to more money being pumped into the economy (and vice versa.)

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

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CHART: Civilian Unemployment Rate

FEBRUARY 2006 thru FEBRUARY 2026

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* = The U-6 Unemployment Rate is 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."

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Click here to view the full Department of Labor report.

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Challenger Job Cuts Report for FEBRUARY 2026

2026-03-05T20:41:00.001-05:00

The global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc. released its job cuts report, for FEBRUARY, 2026:

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Job Cuts Announced During February 2026: 48,307

Previous Month: 108,435

> Change from previous month: -55.45% (-60,128 cuts)

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One-Year Previous: 172,017

> Change from one-year previous: -71.92% (-123,710 cuts)

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From Today's Report:

"...'February’s dip is a nice reprieve from the elevated job cut plans to start the year. With U.S. involvement in a growing war in Iran, the end of Q1 may bring more layoff plans as companies tighten belts amid uncertainty and higher costs,' said Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

'Tech is responding to a number of pressures right now. AI is the big story, but there are also global regulatory concerns, a slowdown in digital advertising driven by tariffs and economic uncertainty, and higher costs to both employ workers and access funding, forcing companies to make difficult decisions,' said Challenger.

In 2025, companies referenced AI for 54,836 announced layoff plans, 5% of total cuts during the year. Since 2023, when this reason was first tracked, AI has been cited in 91,753 job cut announcements, approximately 3% of all layoff plans announced in that period..."

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If corporate layoffs are high, consumer spending may decline, since there would be fewer people with steady jobs.

When corporate layoffs are low, this can mean that the job market is relatively tight, which can be a harbinger of wage inflation.

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Click here to read the full Challenger, Gray and Christmas report

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of February 28, 2026

2026-03-05T13:16:00.000-05:00

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on February 28, 2026:

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Predicted: 216,000

Actual: 213,000

4-Week Moving Average: 215,750

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Click here to view the full Labor Department report

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