The Quikrete Industry Dashboard

The national unemployment rate, released Friday morning, infuses the latest version of the Quikrete Industry Dashboard, which has seen volatility in the Stock Roundup and relative consistency in the “consumer watch” dials.

• Consumer Confidence dipped slightly in January, from 115.2 to 113.8.
• The Unemployment rate increased from 3.9% to 4.0%.
• Gas prices, meanwhile, surged to $3.41, up from $3.29 a month ago.

Stock prices had a down and up and down again week, and most of the ticker symbols declined in. value compared to last month, with two exceptions: WY and DE.

BLDR continues to set the pace on an annual basis, up more than 70%.

The employment report

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 467,000 in January, compared with an average monthly gain of 555,000 in 2021.

Retail trade employment rose by 61,000 in January, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.

Building material and garden supply stores (NAICS 444) saw an increase of 6,000.

Job growth also occurred in general merchandise stores (+29,000); health and personal care stores (+11,000); sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores (+7,000).

There was little change in the construction employment numbers.

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Coming soon: Monthly sales for NAICS 444 and 44413 will be updated on Feb. 16.