by Calculated Risk on 9/03/2015 04:34:00 PM

A brief excerpt from a research note by Goldman Sachs economist Chris Mischaikow August Payrolls Preview

We forecast nonfarm payroll growth of 190k in August, below the consensus forecast of 218k and down from July’s 215k gain. Labor market indicators were mixed last month. However, reported August payroll growth has tended to be relatively soft in the first release, with more frequent downside surprises and larger upward revisions compared to other months.

We expect the unemployment rate to decline to 5.2%, in line with consensus. Average hourly earnings for all employees are likely to increase 0.3% month-over-month in August.

by Calculated Risk on 9/03/2015 12:59:00 PM

On Friday at 8:30 AM ET, the BLS will release the employment report for August. The consensus, according to Bloomberg, is for an increase of 223,000 non-farm payroll jobs in August (with a range of estimates between 173,000 to 257,000), and for the unemployment rate to decline to 5.2%.

The BLS reported 215,000 jobs added in July.

Here is a summary of recent data:

• The ADP employment report showed an increase of 190,000 private sector payroll jobs in August. This was below expectations of 210,000 private sector payroll jobs added. The ADP report hasn't been very useful in predicting the BLS report for any one month, but in general, this suggests employment growth below expectations.

• The ISM manufacturing employment index decreased in August to 51.2%. A historical correlation between the ISM manufacturing employment index and the BLS employment report for manufacturing, suggests that private sector BLS manufacturing payroll jobs decreased about 13,000 in August. The ADP report indicated a 7,000 increase for manufacturing jobs.

The ISM non-manufacturing employment index decreased in August to 56.0%. A historical correlation  between the ISM non-manufacturing employment index and the BLS employment report for non-manufacturing, suggests that private sector BLS non-manufacturing payroll jobs increased about 234,000 in August.

Combined, the ISM indexes suggests employment gains of 221,000.  This suggests employment at expectations.

• Initial weekly unemployment claims averaged close to 275,000 in August, about the same as in July. For the BLS reference week (includes the 12th of the month), initial claims were at 277,000; up from 255,000 during the reference week in July.

The increase during the reference suggests a slightly higher level of layoffs in August.

• The final July University of Michigan consumer sentiment index decreased to 91.9 from the July reading of 93.1. Sentiment is frequently coincident with changes in the labor market, but there are other factors too - like gasoline prices.

• On small business hiring: The small business index from Intuit showed a small decrease in small business employment in August.  From Intuit: Small Business: Hours Worked, Compensation Rose in August; Jobs Declined

Small business employment fell by 5,000 jobs in August, an annual rate of 0.30 percent. However, Susan Woodward, the economist who works with Intuit to produce the indexes, said this change is very small.

“July’s figure was revised up by 2,000 jobs. The level of small business employment is 20.7 million jobs, so the August decline doesn’t indicate a clear or major sign of softness in the labor force,” Woodward said.

• Trim Tabs reported that the U.S. economy added 241,000 jobs in August. Note: "TrimTabs’ employment estimates are based on analysis of daily income tax deposits to the U.S. Treasury from the paychecks of the 142 million U.S. workers subject to withholding."

• Conclusion: Unfortunately none of the indicators above is very good at predicting the initial BLS employment report.

There were several weaker indicators such the ADP report, ISM manufacturing, and small business hiring.

Historically the initial report for August tends to be revised up, so I'll take the under on the consensus this month.

by Calculated Risk on 9/03/2015 10:05:00 AM

The August ISM Non-manufacturing index was at 59.0%, down from 60.3% in July. The employment index decreased in August to 56.0%, down from 59.6% in July. Note: Above 50 indicates expansion, below 50 contraction.

From the Institute for Supply Management: August 2015 Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®

Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in August for the 67th consecutive month, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, CPSM, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The NMI® registered 59 percent in August, 1.3 percentage points lower than the July reading of 60.3 percent. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector at a slower rate. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index decreased to 63.9 percent, which is 1 percentage point lower than the July reading of 64.9 percent, reflecting growth for the 73rd consecutive month at a slower rate. The New Orders Index registered 63.4 percent, 0.4 percentage point lower than the reading of 63.8 percent in July. The Employment Index decreased 3.6 percentage points to 56 percent from the July reading of 59.6 percent and indicates growth for the 18th consecutive month. The Prices Index decreased 2.9 percentage points from the July reading of 53.7 percent to 50.8 percent, indicating prices increased in August for the sixth consecutive month. According to the NMI®, 15 non-manufacturing industries reported growth in August. Overall, respondents continue to be optimistic about business conditions and the economy. This is reflected by indexes that are again strong; however, lower than what was seen in July."
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the ISM non-manufacturing index (started in January 2008) and the ISM non-manufacturing employment diffusion index.

This was above the consensus forecast of 58.5% and suggests slightly slower expansion in August than in July. Another strong report.

by Calculated Risk on 9/03/2015 08:49:00 AM

The Department of Commerce reported:

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that the goods and services deficit was $41.9 billion in July, down $3.3 billion from $45.2 billion in June, revised. July exports were $188.5 billion, $0.8 billion more than June exports. July imports were $230.4 billion, $2.5 billion less than June imports.

The trade deficit was smaller than the consensus forecast of $42.9 billion.

The first graph shows the monthly U.S. exports and imports in dollars through June 2015.

Click on graph for larger image.

Imports decreased and exports decreased in July.

Exports are 14% above the pre-recession peak and down 4% compared to July 2014; imports are close to the pre-recession peak, and down 3% compared to July 2014. 

The second graph shows the U.S. trade deficit, with and without petroleum.

The blue line is the total deficit, and the black line is the petroleum deficit, and the red line is the trade deficit ex-petroleum products (wild swings earlier this year were due to West Coast port slowdown).

Oil imports averaged $54.20 in July, up from $53.76 in June, and down from $97.81 in July 2014.  The petroleum deficit has generally been declining and is the major reason the overall deficit has declined since early 2012.

The trade deficit with China increased to $31.6 billion in July, from $30.9 billion in July 2014. The deficit with China is a large portion of the overall deficit.

by Calculated Risk on 9/03/2015 08:33:00 AM

The DOL reported:

In the week ending August 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 282,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 271,000 to 270,000. The 4-week moving average was 275,500, an increase of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 272,500 to 272,250.

There were no special factors impacting this week's initial claims.

The previous week was revised down to 270,000.

The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since 1971.

Click on graph for larger image.


The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims increased to 275,500.

This was higher than the consensus forecast of 273,000, however the low level of the 4-week average suggests few layoffs.