'Low Hire, Ho Fire' Economy Confirmed By Latest Jobless Claims Data

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the first time remains near multi-decade lows at 206k last week in line with expectations and flat to the prior month...

Continuing jobless claims ticked up modestly but remain near two-year lows, below the 1.8mm Maginot line...

However, surveys (Conference Board) remain sure it is 'hard to get a job' in this labor market...

But, the official data (BLS) shows that the American workforce is growing...

So, today's data reinforces the 'low hire, no fire' economy - hardly a regime that warrants rate-hikes as it seems CEOs are on tenterhooks for what comes next and tightening financial conditions doesn't seem like a positive path... in fact it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back for many firms.