In a market with frayed nerves, employment deserves a calm reading. The number of people working matters; so does the purchasing power of their pay. October’s claims evidence points to stability rather than a sudden deterioration. But assessing the monetary side requires particular care because the 2025 shutdown left gaps in the inflation comparison base. For the … [Read more...] about Employment Situation: Nonfarm Payrolls — October 2026
Employment Situation
July 2026 Employment Report: The Economy’s “Fort Alamo” Moment
July's labor data resemble a last defensive stand: the employment base is weakening, while aggregate real payroll purchasing power remains narrowly positive. Research updated: August 13, 2026 July's employment report is the most important economic report of the month—not because one headline settles the outlook, but because it shows how many people remain … [Read more...] about July 2026 Employment Report: The Economy’s “Fort Alamo” Moment
July 2026 CPI Preview: Jobs, Real Wages and Purchasing Power
The most important July inflation number may not be CPI alone. It will be the purchasing power left in an average weekly paycheck—and whether that improvement is spread across a stable employment base. July's data will arrive in three connected stages. The first will show how many jobs and paid hours supported household income. The second will show how … [Read more...] about July 2026 CPI Preview: Jobs, Real Wages and Purchasing Power