Monster, Unemployment and Food Stamps

While our team of dedicated researchers (persons: 1, but with a vivid imagination) continues to dig and shift the archeological evidence to prepare Real GDP - Part III, current events are also unfolding.

The Monster Employment Index of online job postings is continuing to weaken on a year-to-year basis, with May down 12% from the previous year. It should be noted that this index is not seasonally adjusted, so annual comparisons are more appropriate.

Data: Monster Worldwide

Continuing claims for unemployment insurance (4-wk avg.) are rising sharply. People getting laid off are having a harder time finding new jobs and are staying on unemployment rolls longer.


Finally, participation in the Food Stamp program is also rising fast. In March (latest data available) 27.9 million Americans received food benefits, up 230,000 from February and 1.5 million more than last year. Excluding the months immediately following the hurricane Katrina disaster, this is the highest number ever.