The latest claims for unemployment have “necessarily skyrocketed” as expected after the election. “Elections have consequences” has been used so often that its truth is overlooked. Until it hits home and people start to suffer. Factor in new temporary jobs for the holiday season and this news is even worse. For employers who will be laying off employees due to Health Care legislation or government regulations, the choice is simple: the people who voted away Liberty for Santa Claus should be showered in pink.
David DeGerolamo
Initial Claims Soar To 439K, Non-Seasonally Adjusted Surge By Whopping 104,548 In One Week
Get ready for the “it’s all Sandy’s fault” barrage, because the post-reelection status quo sure will desperately need it today. The latest initial claims data posted a multi-year high 104,548 surge in weekly NSA claims from 361,800 to 466,348, and even the Seasonally adjusted number soaring from 361K to 439K on expectations of a 375K print. In other words, a complete disaster for any economic data bulls. What is truly amusing is that the same Wall Street “experts” who set expectations were unable to foresee the Sandy effect that every “macrotourist” on Twitter apparently is so very aware of. Also, it is apparently also “Sandy’s fault” (now that the Bush excuse is back in retirement) that the prior week’s claims were revised from 355K to 361K. Basically, just as we said 3 weeks ago, ignore every negative data point: it is Sandy’s fault. However, for the snapback, when there actually is good news to be had, well, “four more years.” Finally, to all the Sandy apologists: is the logic here that: if Hurricane, then Fire everyone? Because that is what is implied. To summarize: a hurricane is good for GDP (lots of broken windows), but any actually negative news (surge in firings) is perfectly expected.
