The Chicago Business Barometer

Released last Friday, it was up 0.2 to 59.8 in February, remaining broadly unchanged. A double digit gain in employment offset declines in new orders, production and order backlogs.

Real Gross Domestic Product

The output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the US, increased at an annual rate of 2.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 (that is from the third to the fourth quarter) according to the “second estimate” released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

US raw steel production

… rose 1.6 percent last week from the prior week as mills operated at an Average Capability Utilization Rate (ACUR) of 77.4 percent, the highest level since early October 2013. In the corresponding week last year mills operated at an ACUR of 78.3 percent. Thus far this year mills have operated at an ACUR of 76.5 percent, down 1 percent from the same period last year.

The economy

… created 175,000 jobs in February and the count for the two prior months was revised a net of 25,000 higher. The February unemployment rate reversed course and ticked up 0.1 percent higher to 6.7 percent as more people began looking for work. Funny how that happens when the government stops sending you money….

The economy is continuing to forge ahead. Surely there were some adverse weather effects contained in the February jobs results, so for this economy to produce 175,000 jobs under these conditions has to be taken as a positive sign.” Ken Mayland, Economist for the PMPA.

Remember:

Fast & Furious-providing weapons to criminals leading to a loss of American life. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The loss of 4 American lives at our embassy in Benghazi, Libya. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The IRS targeting conservative political groups for tax-exempt status. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The National Security Administration eavesdropping on the phone calls of American citizens. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The software program created for the Affordable Healthcare Act, at a cost of $1 billion (thus far) and 3 ½ years to “perfect”, has been unusable to the American people. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
Spying on our Allies, specifically Angela Merkel of Germany. No one held accountable. The president was unaware. (although these things go on knowingly between countries all the time, the fact that our president denies knowledge of this is just another sign of his incompetence as the leader of the most powerful country on the planet).
“If you like your current insurance plan you can keep it. Period” Barack Obama
“If you like your doctor, you can keep him. Period” Barack Obama

Have a great weekend and….

Hug your children and grandchildren, tell them you love them.
Buy American made products whenever you can.
Hire a Veteran: they are patriots, honest, hard working, disciplined, loyal and …. They need and deserve our support.

God Bless America