Reports

In a reversal from last week’s results, total initial claims rose in the US and more sharply in California.

While normally more subdued period following the holiday related traffic, the state’s ports broke February records as imports continued to surge. In total value, imports through the state’s ports climbed 23.7% from the year earlier. The number of TEUs (20-foot equivalent units; loaded and empty) moved jumped 46.92% in the Port of Los Angeles, 43.3% in Long Beach, and 6% in Oakland.

Below are the monthly updates from the most current May 2021 fuel price data (GasBuddy.com) and March 2021 electricity and natural gas price data (US Energy Information Administration). The average annual residential electric bill in California as of March surpassed the average for the rest of the US for the first time. Passing this milepost is […]

The number of total initial claims for the week of June 5 finally showed improvement in California, while continuing a longer term decline in the rest of the US.

The number of total initial claims rose in California for the week of May 29, while continuing to drop in the rest of the US.

Highlights for policy makers:

COVID-19 and the State Economy
Employment Up Only 0.2%
Labor Force Participation Rate Up 0.1 Point
Nonfarm Jobs: 1.412 Million Below Recovery
Jobs Change by Industry
Employment Recovery by Region
Unemployment Rates by Legislative Districts
Unemployment Rates by Region
MSAs with the Worst Unemployment Rates

Recent trends continued for the week of May 22, with the number of total initial claims down slightly in California while continuing to drop more strongly since the week of February 27 in the rest of the US.

Recent trends continued for the week of May 15, with the number of total initial claims essentially level in California while continuing to drop since the week of February 27 in the rest of the US.

Recent trends continued for the week of May 8, with the number of total initial claims essentially level in California while continuing to drop in the rest of the US.

Below are the monthly updates from the most current April 2021 fuel price data (GasBuddy.com) and February 2021 electricity and natural gas price data (US Energy Information Administration).

While normally more subdued period following the holiday related traffic, the state’s ports broke February records as imports continued to surge. In total value, imports through the state’s ports climbed 23.7% from the year earlier. The number of TEUs (20-foot equivalent units; loaded and empty) moved jumped 46.92% in the Port of Los Angeles, 43.3% in Long Beach, and 6% in Oakland.

Total initial claims fell in California the week of May 1, while plunging twice as fast in the rest of the US. The US total was another pandemic low, while the California numbers bested the previous low reached 3 weeks ago.

Total initial claims rose in California the week of April 24, while continuing to drop in the rest of the US. The US total was the lowest since the PUA program began in May 2020. The California numbers were the third-lowest.

Highlights for policy makers:

COVID-19 and the State Economy
Employment: 1.245 Million Below Recovery
Labor Force Participation Rate Dips to 60.8%
Employment Growth Ranking
Nonfarm Jobs: 1.471 Million Below Recovery
Jobs Change by Industry
Employment Recovery by Region
Unemployment Rates by Legislative Districts
Unemployment Rates by Region
How Far Back Has the Economy in Each County Been Pushed?
MSAs with the Worst Unemployment Rates: Los Angeles 8th Worst in Nation

Total initial claims were largely level in California the week of April 17, while showing a significant drop in the rest of the US.