by Michael Pakko | Feb 26, 2021
Of all the sectors of the economy that have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, industries in the Leisure and Hospitality category have been among the hardest-hit. These industries continue to show persistent declines in sales and employment, with many...
by Michael Pakko | Feb 3, 2021
The BLS report on employment and unemployment in counties and metropolitan areas for December was released this morning. For Arkansas, the data showed that the changes reported in the remarkable state-wide report for December were widely reflected in local statistics...
by Michael Pakko | Jan 26, 2021
The state employment report for December, released this morning, suggest a very robust labor market improvement in Arkansas (to say the least!). The headline, a 2.1% decline in the unemployment rate to 4.2%, is an unprecedented change. While that particular...
by Michael Pakko | Jan 8, 2021
The latest employment report for metropolitan areas showed that nonfarm payroll employment expanded in most of Arkansas’ metropolitan area. The exceptions were Memphis and Little Rock, which were both essentially unchanged. Employment in Hot Springs, Jonesboro...
by Michael Pakko | Jan 5, 2021
State-level GDP data for the third quarter were released over the holidays (December 23). The latest data showed that Arkansas Real GDP increased 7.1% in Q3 (an annual rate of 31.8%). The nationwide growth rate was 7.5% (annual rate 33.4%). The change in real GDP...