Last Week in Review: The Unemployment Line is Growing
The leading indicator on the health of the job market is the Initial Jobless Claims report, which essentially tells us the length of the unemployment line. And that line just grew.
Over the past four weeks, approximately 22 million people have filed for unemployment benefits, erasing nearly a decade worth of job creation.
Although the unemployment rate is likely 13% or higher, this is temporary in nature due to the coronavirus. We expect many people will be headed back to work relatively soon as the virus passes.
We won't see the "pre-virus" 3.5% unemployment numbers for some time. However, the economy is expected to bounce back sharply as pockets of the country begin to reopen, putting people back to work.
There remains incredible opportunity during these uncertain times. Home loan rates are at all-time lows, affording many people the opportunity to refinance and restructure their personal debt.
With the Fed continuing to buy mortgage-backed securities, rates should hover near current levels for the foreseeable future.
