First-Time Unemployment Claims Plunge -- February 17, 2015

The AP is reporting:

The Labor Department says weekly applications for unemployment aid dropped 21,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 283,000. The four-week average of applications, a less volatile number, fell 6,500 to 289,750, its lowest level in 15 weeks.

It appears the cutbacks in the energy sector are not being counted.

Last week, new claims surged:

New claims surge; rise way more than expected; up to 304K; four-week average decreased to 289,750 (due to spurious unemployment claims of a couple weeks ago). 

The volatility is interesting, to say the least.

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Most-Hated Retailer In The US -- Walmart -- Market Watch

Market Watch is reporting:

The headline/article was based on a poll. Take it for what it's worth; many, many story lines.

I was intrigued by this paragraph in the linked article:

Walmart does score higher in terms of customer satisfaction than do cable companies, many airlines and health insurance companies. 

What do Walmart, cable companies, airlines, and health insurance companies have in common. Four of the five are relative/regional monopolies.

But this is what all five have in common: Americans cannot live without any of them. Probably no other retailer has done for the American consumer than Walmart in bringing low prices (and keeping low prices) in America, as well as 24/7 big box store accessibility.

But even more importantly: if you can't find it at Walmart you probably don't need it. I don't like going to Walmart because the parking lot is too big, too busy; the stuff I usually "have" to get is at the back of the store; and, the checkout lines are way too long.

Hmmmm....for being the most-hated retailer in America ... it sure is busy. There's only one store that is busier (number of human feet / square foot): Apple retail stores.