Unemployment

The state unemployment data from the BLS is likely significantly flawed but it makes sense to visualize it nonetheless. The chart below demonstrates both the monthly change in unemployment (April - May 2009) as well as the year-over-year increase in state unemployment (vs. May 2008). Notably, Michigan was in a world of pain even before the bankruprtcy of GM and Chrysler. The green shoot: seems cattle ranchers are in high demand in N/S Dakota and Wyoming.

The state unemployment data from the BLS is likely significantly flawed but it makes sense to visualize it nonetheless. The chart below demonstrates both the monthly change in unemployment (April - May 2009) as well as the year-over-year increase in state unemployment (vs. May 2008). Notably, Michigan was in a world of pain even before the bankruprtcy of GM and Chrysler. The green shoot: seems cattle ranchers are in high demand in N/S Dakota and Wyoming.

The state unemployment data from the BLS is likely significantly flawed but it makes sense to visualize it nonetheless.

As program trading computers pretend to care about such fundamental things as continuing jobless claims, a peculiar trend emerges.

As program trading computers pretend to care about such fundamental things as continuing jobless claims, a peculiar trend emerges.

As program trading computers pretend to care about such fundamental things as continuing jobless claims, a peculiar trend emerges.

As program trading computers pretend to care about such fundamental things as continuing jobless claims, a peculiar trend emerges.

Another refreshingly objective piece from the San Fran Fed, this time dealing with the question of whether to expect a recovery in employment; the Fed comes out with what sounds like a resounding no.

Another refreshingly objective piece from the San Fran Fed, this time dealing with the question of whether to expect a recovery in employment; the Fed comes out with what sounds like a resounding no.

Another refreshingly objective piece from the San Fran Fed, this time dealing with the question of whether to expect a recovery in employment; the Fed comes out with what sounds like a resounding no.

Some realistic downside projections: U3: 17-21%; U6: 30-37%.

Best case scenario: U3: 14-17%; U6: 26-31%

And here is what Bernanke, and everyone else who wonders where we are headed, should be looking at:

Total unemployment

2s10s schizophrenia

2 year skyrocketing

Total unemployment

2s10s schizophrenia

2 year skyrocketing

Total unemployment

2s10s schizophrenia

2 year skyrocketing

TrimTabs Investment Research estimated today that the U.S. economy shed 745,000 jobs in April (20,000 more than their March job loss estimates) as wages and salaries plunged an adjusted 5.7% year-over-year. TrimTabs estimated that the economy shed a record 5 million jobs in the past 12 months.

"If job losses continue at the present rate, the unemployment rate could top 10% by summer," said TrimTabs CEO Charles Biderman.