** Today's Focus: PPI and Unemployment Claims **
* PPI * (Producer Price Index) measures the change in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. It also tracks prices throughout the production process.
A low or declining PPI suggests a decrease in prices, which can signal a slowdown in economic growth.
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* US Initial Jobless Claims * measure the number of people who filed for unemployment benefits for the first time during a given one-week period.
This report provides a timely, but often misleading, indicator of the economy's direction.
An increase (or decrease) in claims can signal a potential slowdown (or acceleration) in job growth.
A more sustained change in the number of claims is usually considered a more meaningful signal.