Commentary

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 4 hours ago

Import volume at the nation’s major container ports is forecast to see its first month-over-month gain in six months during January but is expected to remain down year over year until spring. https://buff.ly/f4BCfQe

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 6 hours ago

The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.4 percent, according to Labor Department data released Friday, as layoffs remains low despite meager job creation. However, 2025 marked the fewest jobs gained for workers since 2020 and the second worst year since the Great Recession. Employers added 584,000 jobs in 2025, an average of 49,000 jobs per month in 2025. That’s a significant drop from the 2 million jobs added over 2024 or 168,000 per month. https://buff.ly/L6A8fMs

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 7 hours ago

Executives at large independent drillers have warned US President Donald Trump that his mission to seize Venezuela’s oil sector and drive down crude prices will hobble American output. https://buff.ly/hgca5pb

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 20 hours ago

From Bloomberg: America’s Statistical System Is Breaking Down. Canceled surveys, missing datasets and staffing cuts are leaving the US with growing blind spots — and weakening trust in official numbers. https://buff.ly/qr5L9pv

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 22 hours ago

Explore December and earlier data with the Labor Report First Look, updated January 9. First Look offers a snapshot of recent and historical employment data, updated with each release of the Employment Situation Summary. https://buff.ly/FlDkl6u

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 22 hours ago

The US trade deficit narrowed to its lowest level since 2009 in October, as Donald Trump’s tariffs continued to prompt fluctuations in imports. The gap between imports and exports of goods fell 39 per cent from the previous month to $29.4bn, according to data released by the US Department of Commerce on Thursday. https://buff.ly/n6i5FxV