“Fewer Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits in 2014 than at any time in 14 years as the economic expansion strengthened. An average 308,500 workers a week filed jobless claims this year, the least since 299,600 in 2000… Better employment prospects are buoying Americans’ moods. The Conference Board’s index of consumer confidence rose to 92.6 in December from a revised 91 in November…” Story at…
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-31/jobless-claims-in-u-s-increased-more-than-forecast-last-week.html
CHICAGO PMI (Briefing.com)
“After four consecutive months above 60, the Chicago PMI fell from 60.8 in November to 58.3 in December…. The Chicago PMI has little overall economic value, and is only watched by the financial markets because it is usually released one day in advance of the similar national ISM manufacturing survey.” Story at…
http://www.briefing.com/Investor/Calendars/Economic/Releases/chi.htm
I am fully invested at 50% in the stock market.
Happy New Year!
