Department of Labor: cednov99

THE CONNECTICUT

ECONOMIC DIGEST

A joint publication of the Connecticut Department of Labor & the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development

NOVEMBER 1999
■ The business community in

Connecticut has a strongly
positive assessment of both
the U.S. and the Connecticut economy in general.
(article, pp.1-3)
s
■ A look at Connecticut’
Connecticut’s
School-to-Career System.
(article, p.4)
■ Industry clusters: business

training grants. (p.3)
■ Nonfarm jobs rose by 1,500

in September
ere
September,, and w
were
28,000 higher than a year
ago. (p.6)
■ Unemployment rate: 2.7

percent in September
.6)
(p.6)
September.. (p
s initial unem■ September’
September’s
ployment claims were down
22.1 percent o
ver the yyear
ear
ov
ear..
(p.6)

●

IN THIS ISSUE

By Kolie Sun Chang, Senior Research Analyst
and Mark Prisloe, Senior Economist
he Connecticut Department
T
of Economic and Community
Development (DECD) has retained the Center for Survey
Research and Analysis at the
University of Connecticut (CSRA)
to conduct a survey of businesses in Connecticut. Results
are based on 400 telephone
interviews conducted across the
State. The interviews are conducted quarterly by trained
interviewers from the CSRA
research facility in Storrs, Connecticut. Through these surveys
the DECD is able to continually
monitor Connecticut’s business
climate and to gain a more
accurate assessment of future
expectations.

Launched in 1999
The Connecticut Business
Climate Index was launched in
early 1999 to assess current
economic conditions and future
expectations of the business
community in Connecticut. The
Business Climate Index is comprised of five components: (1)
future expectations for the job
market; (2) confidence in the
future of their business; (3)
future expectations for the
economy; (4) current level of
satisfaction with the economy; (5)
current assessment of the
economy on a prosperity to
depression scale.
The index has a maximum
score of 100, meaning all of the

●

Industr
y Clusters ........................ 3
Industry
Housing Update .......................... 3
Leading & Coincident Indicators 5
Economic Indicators ................ 6-8
Compar
ativ
e Regional Data ........ 9
Comparativ
ative
Economic Indicator Trends ... 10-13
Nonf
ar
m Empl. Estimates .... 14-19
Nonfar
arm
Labor F
orce Estimates .............. 20
Force
Hours and Ear
nings .................. 21
Earnings
Housing P
er
mit Activity ........ 21-22
Per
ermit
Technical Notes ........................ 23
At a Glance .............................. 24

November 1999

Connecticut Business
Climate Index Launched

80

Maximum = 100

Vol.4 No.11

Connecticut Business Climate Index,
1999

60
40
20
0
1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

THE CONNECTICUT

ECONOMIC DIGEST
The Connecticut Economic Digest is
published monthly by the Connecticut
Department of Labor, Office of Research and
the Connecticut Department of Economic and
Community Development, Public and
Government Relations Division. Its purpose is
to regularly provide users with a comprehensive source for the most current, up-to-date
data available on the workforce and economy
of the state, within perspectives of the region
and nation.
The views expressed by authors are theirs
alone and do not necessarily reflect those of
the Departments of Labor or Economic and
Community Development.
To receive this publication free of charge write
to: The Connecticut Economic Digest ,
Connecticut Department of Labor, Office of
Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard,
Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114; or call: (860)
263-6275. Current subscribers who do not wish
to continue receiving the publication or who
have a change of address are asked to fill out
the information on the back cover and return it
to the above address.
Contributing DOL Staff: Salvatore DiPillo,
Lincoln S. Dyer, Arthur Famiglietti, Noreen
Passardi and Joseph Slepski. Managing
Editor
ib
uting DECD
Editor:: J. Charles Joo. Contr
Contrib
ibuting
Staff: Todd Bentsen, Kolie Chang, Robert
Damroth and Mark Prisloe. We would also like
to thank our associates at the Connecticut
Center for Economic Analysis, University of
Connecticut, for their contributions to the
Digest.

Connecticut
Department of Labor
James P. Butler, Commissioner
Jean E. Zurbrigen, Deputy Commissioner
Susan G. Townsley, Deputy Commissioner
Roger F. Therrien, Director
Office of Research
200 Folly Brook Boulevard
Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
Phone: (860) 263-6275
Fax: (860) 263-6263
E-Mail: [email protected]

Connecticut Department
of Economic and
Community Development
James F. Abromaitis, Commissioner
Rita Zangari, Deputy Commissioner
Timothy H. Coppage, Deputy Commissioner
Public and Government Relations Division
Research Unit
505 Hudson Street
DECD
Hartford, CT 06106-2502
Phone: (860) 270-8165
RESEARCH
Fax: (860) 270-8188
E-Mail: [email protected]

businesses in the state are
completely confident with the
current economic conditions and
in the future of the economy and
the job market.
Company Profile
Two-thirds of the businesses
surveyed (66%) in the current
quarter are members of the
following industry clusters:
Financial (11%), Health (11%),
High Technology (11%), Manufacturing (11%), Telecommunications (11%), and Tourism/Entertainment (11%). The remaining
one-third of the businesses
surveyed (33%) are not members
of the industry clusters.
Fifty-eight percent of the
businesses surveyed have one to
four employees. Thirty-three
percent have five to fifty employees. Nine percent have fifty or
more employees.
Twenty-six percent of the
businesses surveyed have gross
revenues of under $100,000.
Thirty-four percent of the businesses surveyed have gross
revenues of $100,000 to
$500,000. Sixteen percent of the
businesses surveyed have gross
revenues of $500,000 to $1
million. Twenty-four percent of
the businesses surveyed have
gross revenues of $1 million or
more.
Thirty-three percent of the
businesses surveyed (132 in
total) are located in Fairfield
County. Twenty-nine percent
(118) are located in Hartford
County. Twelve percent of the
businesses surveyed (46) are
located east of the River.
Twenty-six percent of the businesses surveyed (106) are located
in the rest of the State.
Meeting Strategic Needs
According to the DECD, the
new index is designed to mea-

2 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

sure the overall strength of the
economic climate and to provide
the Department with strategic
and targeted information on the
most important individual sectors. The strategic information
will allow us to efficiently target
resources to meet the needs of
these vital businesses.
Quarterly Summary Results
The Connecticut Business
Climate Index for the first quarter
of 1999 was 71.9 on the 100point index scale. Respondents
were surveyed in late 1998. This
result compared favorably to all
previous indices conducted by
DECD measuring business
opinion about the economy. It
indicated that Connecticut
businesses continued to have
high levels of confidence in a
strong-performing economy.
Respondents in the January
survey produced an index for the
second quarter of 72.9. This
indicated continued strong
optimism for the second quarter.
Respondents in June resulted
in a third-quarter index of 67.6.
Businesses’ satisfaction with
current economic conditions
remained high.
A strongly positive business
assessment of both the U.S. and
the Connecticut economy continued in the final quarter of this
year as the DECD released on
October 1, 1999 the most recent
Connecticut Business Climate
Index. The index stands at a
robust 70.1. The index rebounded from the slight drop it
took in the third quarter.

Conclusion
According to the four quarterly results, the business community in Connecticut has a
strongly positive assessment of
both the U.S. and the Connecti-

November 1999

cut economy in general. For
example, in the fourth quarter
the vast majority (85%) of companies surveyed say that the U.S.
and Connecticut economies are
experiencing moderate recovery,
strong recovery, or prosperity.
Businesses in Connecticut (79%)
also continue to be confident
about the future of their own
company over the next few years.
Moreover, the vast majority of
businesses in Connecticut (83%)
say that the business climate in
the state is getting better or
staying the same. Only a small
portion of the businesses surveyed (12%) think the business
climate is getting worse. In

addition, most businesses (75%)
report that the state government
is paying as much or more attention to the needs of business as it
did a few years ago. While a
small percentage (25%) rated
general business conditions as
fair, most businesses in the state
(67%) rate the present general
business conditions in their area
as good or excellent.

For additional information,
please contact James Watson,
Communications Specialist at the
DECD by phone at (860) 2708182 or by e-mail at
[email protected]. n

HOUSING UPDATE
September Permits Second Highest in 90’s
James F.
C ommissioner
Abromaitis of the Connecticut
Department of Economic and
Community Development announced that Connecticut communities authorized 894 new
housing units in September
1999, a 9.1 percent decrease
compared to September of 1998
when 984 were authorized.
The Department further
indicated that the 894 units
permitted in September1999
represent a decrease of 9.8
percent from the 991 units
permitted in August 1999. The
year-to-date permits are down
2.3 percent, from 8,570 through
September 1998, to 8,376
through September 1999.

Reports from municipal
officials throughout the state
indicate that Windham County
with 15 percent showed the
greatest percentage increase in
September compared to the same
month a year ago. Fairfield
County followed with a 1.5
percent increase.
Hartford County documented
the largest number of new,
authorized units in September
with 204. Fairfield County
followed with 197 units and New
Haven County had 184 units.
Danbury led all Connecticut
communities with 46 units,
followed by Hamden with 31 and
Manchester with 27. n

For mor
e infor
mation on housing per
more
information
permits,
mits, see tables on pages 21-22.

November 1999

Industry Clusters
Business Training Grants
of the latest industry
O necluster
developments is
the new Connecticut Business
Training Networks grant program helping employers maintain a workforce skilled enough
for today’s global challenges.
Networks are five or more
independent small or medium
size companies with fewer than
500 employees who, by an
application process, indicate
their eligibility. The networks
are expected to evolve into
active, self-sustaining organizations. The first network,
“Spring Training in Connecticut, LLC” consisting of five
small spring manufacturers in
the Bristol area has already
formed.
Evaluation criteria include
project objectives, potential to
impact member companies and
member employees, measurable outcomes, and budget.
Grant funding can be obtained
for a total of $85,000 — up to
$10,000 for exploratory work,
up to $25,000 for each of two
years' development work, and
an additional $25,000 for one
year of an operational phase.
Companies comprising networks are often in similar lines
of business and — while not
required — are often geographically close to one another.
The program is a partnership
among the Governor’s Council
on Economic Competitiveness
and Technology, the Connecticut Business and Industry
Association, the Department of
Economic and Community
Development, the Connecticut
Economic Resource Center,
and the Department of Labor.
For more information contact
Judy Resnick at (860) 2441900. n

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

3
●

Connecticut’s School-to-Career System
What is Connecticut’s Schoolto-Career System?
School-to-Career is a comprehensive education system that provides all students the opportunity
to connect learning in the classroom with the needs and demands
of the workplace and/or higher
education. Connecticut’s Schoolto-Career system shows students
from elementary through postsecondary education how schoolbased academic knowledge applies to life
outside the classroom
and how it links to a
variety of career paths.
Students benefit from
participation in a
combination of school
and work-based experiences, connected by a
series of career exploration activities and
assessments, which
result in a more focused
selection of course work
based on potential
career interests.
Student achievement is
raised through participation in learning
experiences that require
the application of knowledge and
skills to real-life situations.
School-to-Career initiatives support collaboration between the
business and education communities thus providing students the
experience to make informed
career decisions.
How is School-to-Career
Structured?
Every School-to-Career system
must contain three core elements:
ü

School-Based Learning –
Classroom instruction that
integrates high academic standards with occupationally based
skills incorporated in
Connecticut’s eight career
clusters.

ü

Wor
k-Based Lear
ning – Work
ork-Based
Learning
experience which provides
structured training and mentoring
that occurs in the workplace.

ü

Connecting Activities – Activities that link the classroom
instruction with workplace
experience, assisting students
with choosing an appropriate
curriculum.

Student work-based experiences
in any of these eight clusters
expose them to all aspects of an
industry, from labor, health and
safety issues and principles of
technology to planning, management and finance. Students also
learn about elements unique to an
industry and to the general day-today details of running an entire
business. In addition, the general
work expectations of
promptness, commitment
and persistence are
reinforced.
What are the Benefits
to Employers?
The benefits to employers participating in
Connecticut Learns
include: and investment
in Connecticut’s future;
a key role in training the
future workforce; strong
community ties; and a
positive impact on the
morale and commitment
of your employees
through their interaction
with students.

What are Connecticut’s Career
Clusters?
Connecticut’s School-to-Career
system is organized around eight
industry-identified career clusters.
The eight career clusters are:

* Arts and Media
* Business and Finance
* Construction: Technologies and
Design
* Environmental, Natural Resources and Agriculture
* Government, Education and
Human Services
* Health and Biosciences
* Retail, Tourism, Recreation and
Entrepreneurship
* Technologies: Manufacturing,
Communications and Repair

4 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

How can an Employer Get
Involved as a Partner?
There are a variety of roles employers can play and opportunities they can provide as partners
in the School-to-Career initiative.
These include: participation in
career days at schools, presentations to schools in the classroom,
company tours for students and
teachers, job shadowing experiences for students and teachers,
internships for students and
teachers and workplace
mentoring.
Who can you Call to Learn
More About School-To-Career?
Debra Hinck at the Connecticut
Department of Labor at 860-2636522 or Ann Gaulin at the Connecticut Department of Education at 860-807-2102. n

November 1999

LEADING AND COINCIDENT INDICATORS
105

LEADING INDEX

120

COINCIDENT INDEX
Peak
02/89

100

100

95
80

Peak
03/80

Trough
06/92

90
60
85

Peak
05/74

Trough
01/83

40

80

Trough
09/75
20

75
72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98

72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98

The distance from peak to trough, indicated by the shaded areas, measures the duration of an employment cycle recession. The vertical scale in both
charts is an index with 1987=100.

Current Expansion Continues Its Recent
Robust Movement
T

he Connecticut coincident
employment index jumped,
once again, to a new peak in the
current expansion with the release
of (preliminary) August 1999 data.
The Connecticut leading employment index continued to drift,
decreasing slightly from July, but
increasing slightly from August
last year.
The coincident index, a gauge
of current employment activity,
rose to a level not seen since
March 1989, one month after its
peak of the 1980s expansion. As
the accompanying chart reveals,
the coincident index now stands
near its all-time peak. The coincident index rose by 4.6 percent
over the last twelve months.
Contributing to this increase was
the decrease in the total unemployment rate from 3.2 to 2.1
percent. The dramatic drop in the
total unemployment rate from 3.4
percent in June to 2.6 percent in
July to 2.1 percent in August has
left most analysts at a loss to
provide a rationalization. Many
cannot believe that the unemployment rate has fallen to so low a
level. Smaller contributions to the

growth of the coincident index
were the 1.3 percent increase in
nonfarm labor and the 0.9 percent
increase in total employment.
Finally, the insured unemployment rate increased from 1.98 to
2.02 percent, tending to moderate
the increase in the coincident
index.
The leading index, a barometer
of future employment activity, has
bounced around considerably
during the last several years. Since
late 1996 and early 1997, however, it has remained in the neighborhood of its current level. See
the accompanying chart for details. The leading index’s signal
light definitely began flashing
yellow a few years ago. We continue to monitor the leading
index’s signal for its next change
to green or red. Over the most
recent 12 months, the leading
index has increased by 0.3
percent.
The August release continues
the unusual event noted in the
last two month’s columns — total
employment below nonfarm
employment, although the gap

narrowed significantly with nonfarm employment now only 2,000
higher than total employment.
In summary, the coincident
employment index rose from 97.5
in August 1998 to 102.0 in August
1999. Three components of the
index point in a positive direction
on a year-over-year basis with
higher nonfarm employment,
higher total employment, and a
lower total unemployment rate.
The other component points in a
negative direction on a year-overyear basis with a higher insured
unemployment rate.
The leading employment index
rose from 89.0 in August 1998 to
89.3 in August 1999. Four index
components sent positive signals
on a year-over-year basis with
lower initial claims for unemployment insurance, a higher average
workweek of manufacturing
production workers, a lower shortduration (less than 15 weeks)
unemployment rate, and higher
total housing permits. One component sent a negative signal on a
year-over-year basis with lower
Hartford help wanted advertising.

Source: Connecticut Center ffor
or Economic Analysis
ersity of Connecticut. De
veloped b
y P
ami Dua [Economic Cycle
Analysis,, Univ
University
Dev
by
Pami
Research Center
a Varol [(860) 486Center;; NY
NY,, NY] and Stephen M. Miller [(860) 486-3853, Storrs Campus]. Stan McMillen and Huly
Hulya
3022, Storrs Campus] provided research support.

November 1999

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

5
●

ECONOMIC INDICATORS OF EMPLOYMENT
Total employment increased by 28,000 over
the year, or 1.7 percent.

EMPLO
YMENT BY MAJOR INDUSTR
Y DIVISION
EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY
(Seasonally adjusted; 000s)
TOTAL NONFARM
Private Sector
Construction and Mining
Manufacturing
Transportation, Public Utilities
Wholesale, Retail Trade
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
Services
Government

SEP
1999
1,673.8
1,436.9
61.5
272.8
75.1
358.4
139.6
529.5
236.9

SEP
1998
1,645.8
1,415.3
59.1
278.0
70.5
354.5
137.5
515.7
230.5

CHANGE
NO. %
28.0 1.7
21.6 1.5
2.4 4.1
-5.2 -1.9
4.6 6.5
3.9 1.1
2.1 1.5
13.8 2.7
6.4 2.8

AUG
1999
1,672.3
1,438.0
60.9
273.1
75.8
359.6
139.2
529.4
234.3

Source: Connecticut Department of Labor

The unemployment rate UNEMPLO
YMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT
dropped, as the labor
force rose from a year (Seasonally adjusted)
ago. The number of initial Unemployment Rate, resident (%)
claims declined over the Labor Force, resident (000s)
Employed (000s)
year.

Unemployed (000s)
Average Weekly Initial Claims
Help Wanted Index -- Htfd. (1987=100
Avg. Insured Unemp. Rate (%)

SEP
1999
2.7
1,717.7
1,671.7
45.9
3,954
30
1.94

SEP
1998
3.4
1,715.8
1,657.2
58.6
5,076
32
1.97

CHANGE
NO.
%
-0.7
--1.9 0.1
14.5 0.9
-12.7 -21.7
-1122 -22.1
-2 -6.3
-0.03
---

AUG
1999
2.1
1,705.8
1,670.1
35.7
3,797
31
2.04

Sources: Connecticut Department of Labor; The Conference Board

Both production worker
weekly hours and hourly
earnings increased over
the year.

MANUF
ACTURING A
CTIVITY
MANUFA
ACTIVITY
SEP
SEP
1999
1998
42.0
41.9
Average Weekly Hours
$15.53 $14.98
Average Hourly Earnings
$652.26 $627.66
Average Weekly Earnings
126.9
126.2
CT Mfg. Production Index (1982=100)*
6,634
6,744
Production Worker Hours (000s)
504
511
Industrial Electricity Sales (mil kWh)**

(Not seasonally adjusted)

CHANGE
AUG
NO.
%
1999
0.1 0.2
42.5
$0.55 3.7 $15.27
$24.60 3.9 $648.98
0.7 0.6
128.9
-110 -1.6
6,619
-7.0 -1.4
546

JUL
1999
---128.1
-517

Source: Connecticut Department of Labor; U.S. Department of Energy
*This new and improved index replaced the Manufacturing Output Index; Seasonally adjusted.
**Latest two months are forecasted. See June 1999 Digest article for explanation; methodology or historical
data back to 1982 is available by contacting Connecticut Department of Labor, at (860)263-6293.

Personal income for first
quarter 2000 is forecasted to increase 5.8
percent from a year
earlier.

INCOME (Quar
ter
ly)
(Quarter
terly)
(Seasonally adjusted)
(Annualized; $ Millions)
Personal Income
UI Covered Wages

1Q*

1Q

2000
1999
$134,121 $126,782
$70,878 $67,525

CHANGE
NO.
%
$7,339 5.8
$3,353 5.0

4Q*
1999
$132,666
$70,567

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis: October 1999 release
*Forecasted by Connecticut Department of Labor
NA= Not Available

6 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

November 1999

ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Retail sales through July
were up 5.2 percent over the
Y/Y %
YEAR TO DATE %
MONTH LEVEL CHG CURRENT PRIOR CHG same period a year ago.

B USINESS A
CTIVITY
ACTIVITY

New Housing Permits
Electricity Sales (mil kWh)
Retail Sales (Bil. $)
Construction Contracts
Index (1980=100)
New Auto Registrations
Air Cargo Tons

SEP 1999
JUL 1999
JUL 1999

894
2,972
2.89

-9.1
11.6
2.8

8,376
17,476
21.69

8,570
16,709
20.61

-2.3
4.6
5.2

SEP 1999
SEP 1999
AUG 1999

248.4
17,331
12,188

31.2
-29.8
1.6

--172,983
93,706

--162,775
92,361

--6.3
1.5

Sources: Department of Economic and Community Development; U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information
Administration; Connecticut Department of Revenue Services; F.W. Dodge; Connecticut Department of
Motor Vehicles; Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Aviation and Ports

Net business formation as
measured by starts minus
%
stops registered with the
CHG
Secretary of the State, was
7.2 up by 13,189 for the year
4.6 through September.

B USINESS ST
AR
TS AND TERMINA
TIONS
STAR
ARTS
TERMINATIONS
STARTS
Secretary of the State
Department of Labor
TERMINATIONS
Secretary of the State
Department of Labor

SEP
1999

YEAR TO DATE
% CHANGE
M/M
Y/Y CURRENT PRIOR

1,790
702

5.0
-35.6

15.7
-1.8

16,155
8,195

15,064
7,838

318
553

2.3
-33.9

-0.9
-5.0

2,966
9,229

2,910
9,639

1.9
-4.3

Sources: Connecticut Secretary of the State -- corporations and other legal entities
Connecticut Department of Labor -- unemployment insurance program registrations

Only corporate tax collections
were down over the fiscal year
FISCAL YEAR TOTALS
% from a year ago, reflecting a
1998-99 1997-98 CHG rate reduction.

ST
ATE TAX COLLECTIONS
STA
(Millions of dollars)
TOTAL ALL TAXES*
Corporate Tax
Personal Income Tax
Real Estate Conv. Tax
Sales & Use Tax

SEP
1999
782.9
68.1
358.6
9.6
229.0

SEP
1998
760.7
81.0
339.4
9.0
217.7

%
CHG
2.9
-15.9
5.7
0.6
5.2

1,381.5
81.7
572.9
33.3
466.3

1,344.0
90.8
547.0
31.4
444.5

2.8
-10.0
4.7
6.1
4.9

Source: Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
*Includes all sources of tax revenue; Only selected taxes are displayed; Most July collections are
credited to the prior fiscal year and are not shown.

TOURISM AND TRA
VEL
TRAVEL
Y/Y %
MONTH LEVEL CHG
SEP 1999
17,491 40.6
Tourism Inquiries
SEP 1999
75,758
-5.1
Info Center Visitors
1.4
Major Attraction Visitors AUG 1999 384,178
81.6
-1.6
Hotel-Motel Occupancy* AUG 1999
AUG 1999 561,848 10.0
Air Passenger Count

YEAR TO DATE %
CURRENT
PRIOR CHG
286,208
244,768 16.9
480,760
477,017
0.8
1,466,950 1,522,316 -3.6
72.7
73.8 -1.1
4,102,333 3,715,118 10.4

Hotel-motel occupancy dipped
slightly in August.

Sources: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Aviation and Ports; Connecticut
Department of Economic and Community Development; Connecticut Lodging &
Attractions Association
*Hotel-Motel Occupancy rate changes are in percentage points.

November 1999

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

7
●

ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Compensation costs for
the nation rose 3.1 percent over the year, while
the Northeast’s increased
by 3.2 percent.

EMPLO
YMENT COST INDEX (Quar
ter
ly)
EMPLOYMENT
(Quarter
terly)
Private Industry Workers
(June 1989=100)
UNITED STATES TOTAL
Wages and Salaries
Benefit Costs

Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
JUN 3-Mo
1999
1999 % Chg
143.0
141.8
0.8
140.9
139.8
0.8
148.1
146.8
0.9

NORTHEAST TOTAL
Wages and Salaries

-----

-----

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
SEP 12-Mo
1999
1998 % Chg
143.3
139.0 3.1
141.0
136.6 3.2
148.6
144.5 2.8

-----

143.2
139.9

138.7
135.4

3.2
3.3

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

U.S. inflation was up 2.6
percent in September.
The Urban Wage Earners
and Clerical Workers U.S.
City Average posted the
highest rate of 2.8
percent.

CONSUMER NEWS
SEP AUG
SEP
(Not seasonally adjusted)
1999 1999 1998
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (1982-1984=100)
All Urban Consumers
167.9 167.1 163.6
U.S. City Average
Purchasing Power of Consumer
$0.596 $0.598 $0.611
Dollar: (1982-84=$1.00)
174.8 174.1 170.6
Northeast Region
178.2 177.6 174.4
NY-Northern NJ-Long Island
--172.1
176.8
Boston-Brockton-Nashua*
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
164.7 163.8 160.2
U.S. City Average
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE (1985=100)
134.2 136.0 126.4
U.S.
132.1 135.0 117.4
New England

% CHG
M/M Y/Y

0.5

2.6

-0.5
0.4
0.3
---

-2.6
2.5
2.2
2.7

0.5

2.8

-1.3 6.2
-2.1 12.5

*The Boston CPI can be used as a proxy for New England and is measured every other month.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; The Conference Board

Except for the prime,
federal funds, and 3month Treasury bill, rates
were uniformly higher
including a 7.82 percent
30-year conventional
mortgage rate.

INTEREST RA
TES
RATES
(Percent)
Prime
Federal Funds
3 Month Treasury Bill
6 Month Treasury Bill
1 Year Treasury Bill
3 Year Treasury Note
5 Year Treasury Note
7 Year Treasury Note
10 Year Treasury Note
30 Year Teasury Bond
Conventional Mortgage

SEP
1999
8.25
5.22
4.73
4.91
5.25
5.75
5.80
6.12
5.92
6.07
7.82

AUG
1999
8.06
5.07
4.76
4.88
5.20
5.77
5.84
6.15
5.94
6.07
7.94

SEP
1998
8.49
5.51
4.74
4.75
4.71
4.62
4.62
4.76
4.81
5.20
6.72

Sources: Federal Reserve; Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

8 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

November 1999

COMPARATIVE REGIONAL DATA
NONF
ARM EMPLO
YMENT
NONFARM
EMPLOYMENT
(Seasonally adjusted; 000s)
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
United States

SEP
1999
1,673.8
585.8
3,231.6
601.0
3,878.3
8,411.6
5,537.5
468.0
290.5
128,911.0

SEP
1998
1,645.8
573.0
3,187.9
587.8
3,821.0
8,263.3
5,516.8
462.1
287.0
126,361.0

CHANGE
NO.
%
28.0
1.7
12.8
2.2
43.7
1.4
13.2
2.2
57.3
1.5
148.3
1.8
20.7
0.4
5.9
1.3
3.5
1.2
2,550.0
2.0

AUG
1999
1,672.3
584.4
3,229.0
600.2
3,871.7
8,393.2
5,529.4
465.1
291.9
128,919.0

All states in the region
experienced job gains
over the year.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Eight of the nine states
in the region posted
AUG
1999 increases in the labor
1,705.8 force from last year.

LABOR FORCE
(Seasonally adjusted; 000s)
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
United States

SEP
1999
1,717.7
676.2
3,273.1
667.7
4,233.5
8,931.3
5,970.4
505.3
338.7
139,386.0

SEP
1998
1,715.8
653.1
3,274.2
652.4
4,153.4
8,870.5
5,932.1
498.7
331.4
138,081.0

CHANGE
NO.
%
1.9
0.1
23.1
3.5
-1.1
0.0
15.3
2.3
80.1
1.9
60.8
0.7
38.3
0.6
6.6
1.3
7.3
2.2
1,305.0
0.9

669.5
3,280.5
669.6
4,255.2
8,903.6
5,986.4
509.1
339.9
139,264.0

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

UNEMPLO
YMENT RA
TES
UNEMPLOYMENT
RATES
(Seasonally adjusted)
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
United States

SEP
1999
2.7
3.9
2.9
2.1
4.6
5.3
4.5
3.8
2.9
4.2

SEP
1998
3.4
4.3
3.3
2.8
4.6
5.5
4.6
4.8
3.3
4.5

CHANGE
-0.7
-0.4
-0.4
-0.7
0.0
-0.2
-0.1
-1.0
-0.4
-0.3

AUG
1999
2.1
4.2
3.1
2.3
4.7
5.1
4.5
4.4
2.9
4.2

Eight of the nine states
in the region posted
lower unemployment
rates than a year ago.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

November 1999

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

9
●

ECONOMIC INDICATOR TRENDS
NONFARM EMPLOYMENT (Seasonally adjusted)
1,700

Thousands

1,650
1,600
1,550
1,500
1,450
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (Seasonally adjusted)

Percent

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
85

86 87

88 89

90 91

92 93

94 95

96

97 98

99

LABOR FORCE (Seasonally adjusted)

Thousands

1,850
1,800
1,750
1,700
1,650
1,600
1,550
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

AVERAGE WEEKLY INITIAL CLAIMS (Seasonally adjusted)
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
87 88

89 90 91

1997
1,599.4
1,601.5
1,605.1
1,609.3
1,610.3
1,610.2
1,612.9
1,612.5
1,618.3
1,620.7
1,622.4
1,627.4

1998
1,631.4
1,635.5
1,638.4
1,638.5
1,640.8
1,643.3
1,649.3
1,651.3
1,645.8
1,651.4
1,652.5
1,660.3

1999
1,660.5
1,663.4
1,663.9
1,665.4
1,663.3
1,665.2
1,669.5
1,672.3
1,673.8

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
5.8
5.6
5.5
5.5
5.4
5.3
5.1
4.9
4.8
4.6
4.4
4.2

1998
3.8
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.4
3.2
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.2
3.2
3.2

1999
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.4
3.4
3.4
2.6
2.1
2.7

Month

1,900

85 86

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

92 93

94 95 96

10 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

97 98

99

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997

1998

1999

1,729.2
1,728.2
1,728.1
1,729.9
1,727.6
1,726.9
1,724.3
1,721.1
1,720.0
1,718.0
1,713.7
1,712.0

1,706.3
1,703.2
1,704.0
1,702.9
1,703.4
1,704.1
1,706.7
1,710.0
1,715.8
1,714.2
1,718.0
1,722.0

1,729.5
1,722.8
1,718.6
1,732.6
1,731.2
1,719.2
1,706.5
1,705.8
1,717.7

1997
4,010
3,892
4,084
4,434
3,791
3,990
3,678
3,736
3,621
3,502
3,699
4,026

1998
3,450
3,573
3,518
3,584
3,710
3,962
3,779
4,164
5,076
3,500
4,026
3,394

1999
4,252
3,885
4,047
3,805
3,776
3,894
3,498
3,797
3,954

November 1999

ECONOMIC INDICATOR TRENDS
REAL AVG MANUFACTURING HOURLY EARNINGS (Not seasonally adjusted)

1982-84 Dollars

9.6
9.4
9.2
9.0
8.8
8.6
8.4
85

86

87 88

89

90

91

92 93

94

95

96

97

98 99

AVG MANUFACTURING WEEKLY HOURS (Not seasonally adjusted)
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
85

86

87

88

89 90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97 98

99

HARTFORD HELP WANTED INDEX (Seasonally adjusted)
120

1987=100

100
80
60
40
20
0
85 86

87 88

89 90 91

92 93

94 95 96

97 98

99

DOL NEWLY REGISTERED EMPLOYERS (12-month moving average)
1,100
1,000
900
800
700
600
500
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

November 1999

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
$9.09
9.06
9.08
9.09
9.13
9.14
9.26
9.20
9.24
9.22
9.26
9.32

1998
$9.27
9.26
9.29
9.26
9.25
9.27
9.32
9.24
9.35
9.27
9.30
9.34

1999
$9.32
9.31
9.33
9.32
9.37
9.36
9.34
9.32
9.43

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
42.7
42.1
42.4
42.5
42.4
42.5
41.9
42.0
43.0
42.8
43.1
43.4

1998
42.7
42.9
42.7
42.5
42.9
42.9
42.2
42.1
41.9
42.8
43.2
43.2

1999
41.8
41.9
42.4
42.4
42.6
42.4
42.4
42.5
42.0

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
35
36
34
36
36
38
35
34
36
35
37
36

1998
35
38
37
37
40
39
36
35
32
33
34
35

1999
33
36
34
34
35
35
31
31
30

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
833
840
856
849
856
848
856
862
854
859
859
852

1998
868
870
846
878
861
836
849
841
838
845
836
832

1999
831
828
829
834
843
861
854
856
861

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

11
●

ECONOMIC INDICATOR TRENDS
WHOLESALE TRADE EMPLOYMENT (Seasonally adjusted)
95

Thousands

90
85
80
75
70
85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

Thousands

RETAIL TRADE EMPLOYMENT (Seasonally adjusted)
300
290
280
270
260
250
240
230
220
85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

TOTAL SERVICES EMPLOYMENT (Seasonally adjusted)
580

Thousands

530
480
430
380
330
280
85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

BUSINESS SERVICES EMPLOYMENT (Not seasonally adjusted)
120

Thousands

110
100
90
80
70
60
85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

12 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

96

97

98

99

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
81.8
82.0
82.2
82.4
82.5
82.3
82.3
82.3
82.4
82.5
82.6
82.5

1998
82.3
82.5
82.8
83.3
83.4
83.9
83.5
83.6
83.3
83.2
83.3
83.4

1999
83.2
83.3
83.6
84.4
84.4
84.9
84.7
84.8
84.4

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
268.6
267.2
269.2
268.7
268.9
269.4
268.1
269.4
269.9
270.1
270.5
271.0

1998
270.7
271.9
272.3
271.5
272.2
271.9
271.6
271.8
271.2
272.2
273.6
275.5

1999
274.6
276.2
275.5
274.0
273.9
273.8
273.6
274.8
274.0

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
487.5
489.1
490.6
492.8
492.8
493.8
495.4
496.5
497.8
499.4
501.0
503.4

1998
505.0
506.1
507.2
509.0
511.2
513.5
514.7
515.4
515.7
516.3
517.0
520.1

1999
520.0
521.4
520.5
523.8
523.1
526.3
528.6
529.4
529.5

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

1997
93.1
94.0
95.4
97.1
98.0
99.2
99.5
100.1
101.1
102.9
103.6
105.3

1998
102.0
102.4
103.7
104.5
106.0
107.3
106.6
107.4
107.9
108.0
108.8
110.2

1999
106.8
107.7
107.8
107.7
108.4
109.5
110.0
110.5
111.1

November 1999

ECONOMIC INDICATOR TRENDS
Year-over-year % changes

PERSONAL INCOME (Seasonally adjusted)
14
12
10

Year-over-year % changes

1999
4.7
5.3
5.6
4.7

2000
5.8

Quarter
First
Second
Third
Fourth

1998
6.5
7.3
6.6
9.1

1999
5.0
5.8
4.4
1.4

2000
5.0

Quarter

1997

1998

1999

First
Second
Third
Fourth

2.8
2.8
2.9
3.2

3.3
3.4
3.7
3.3

3.0
3.2
3.0

1997
3.0
3.0
2.8
2.5
2.2
2.3
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.1
1.8
1.7

1998
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.6

1999
1.7
1.6
1.7
2.3
2.1
2.0
2.1
2.3
2.6

6
4
2
0
87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

UI COVERED WAGES (Seasonally adjusted)
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

U.S. EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX (Seasonally adjusted)
Year-over-year % changes

1998
4.7
4.6
5.2
5.8

8

86

6
5
4
3
2
1
0
85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

U.S. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (Not seasonally adjusted)
Year-over-year % changes

Quarter
First
Second
Third
Fourth

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
85

86

87

88

November 1999

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

13
●

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES
CONNECTICUT

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lumber & Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stone, Clay & Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabricated Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery & Computer Equipment . . . . . . . . .
Electronic & Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . .
Transportation Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Miscellaneous Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Apparel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Printing & Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rubber & Plastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Nondurable Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . .
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Motor Freight & Warehousing . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Merchandise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Food Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auto Dealers & Gas Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restaurants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Retail Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . .
Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Banking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insurance Carriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hotels & Lodging Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Legal & Engineering Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Educational Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
**State, Local & Other Government . . . . . . . . . . .

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

SEP
1998

1,681,400
338,500
65,100
273,400
192,300
5,300
2,900
9,200
35,000
34,400
28,700
48,600
22,000
6,200
81,100
8,100
1,900
4,100
7,700
25,900
20,900
10,400
2,100
1,342,900
76,000
44,600
12,100
32,500
19,200
12,200
359,000
84,700
274,300
25,300
52,800
27,200
78,100
90,900
139,500
52,500
25,600
70,500
59,100
16,600
532,100
12,000
18,500
111,100
157,900
56,500
45,400
130,700
236,300
22,400
213,900

1,653,400
340,800
62,800
278,000
195,600
5,300
2,800
9,300
35,500
34,900
29,100
50,200
22,200
6,300
82,400
8,100
2,000
4,300
7,800
26,600
20,900
10,700
2,000
1,312,600
71,300
45,200
12,400
32,800
13,800
12,300
355,400
83,600
271,800
26,800
52,600
26,900
77,900
87,600
137,600
51,000
25,000
70,700
59,600
15,900
518,100
11,600
18,100
107,900
157,200
54,600
43,600
125,100
230,200
22,200
208,000

CHANGE
NO.
%
*

*
*

*

28,000
-2,300
2,300
-4,600
-3,300
0
100
-100
-500
-500
-400
-1,600
-200
-100
-1,300
0
-100
-200
-100
-700
0
-300
100
30,300
4,700
-600
-300
-300
5,400
-100
3,600
1,100
2,500
-1,500
200
300
200
3,300
1,900
1,500
600
-200
-500
700
14,000
400
400
3,200
700
1,900
1,800
5,600
6,100
200
5,900

AUG
1999

1.7 1,661,100
-0.7
337,900
3.7
66,200
-1.7
271,700
-1.7
190,700
0.0
5,200
3.6
2,800
-1.1
9,200
-1.4
34,800
-1.4
33,600
-1.4
28,700
-3.2
48,400
-0.9
21,800
-1.6
6,200
-1.6
81,000
0.0
8,000
-5.0
1,900
-4.7
4,100
-1.3
7,700
-2.6
25,900
0.0
20,900
-2.8
10,400
5.0
2,100
2.3 1,323,200
6.6
74,400
-1.3
42,800
-2.4
12,100
-0.9
30,700
39.1
19,400
-0.8
12,200
1.0
360,100
1.3
85,000
0.9
275,100
-5.6
25,000
0.4
53,300
1.1
27,300
0.3
78,600
3.8
90,900
1.4
140,600
2.9
53,000
2.4
26,000
-0.3
70,900
-0.8
59,500
4.4
16,700
2.7
531,000
3.4
12,900
2.2
18,100
3.0
110,500
0.4
157,500
3.5
57,000
4.1
39,100
4.5
135,900
2.6
217,100
0.9
22,400
2.8
194,700

Current month’s data are preliminary. Prior months’ data have been revised. All data are benchmarked to March 1998.
*Total excludes workers idled due to labor-management disputes. **Includes Indian tribal government employment.

14 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

November 1999

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES
BRIDGEPOR
T LMA
BRIDGEPORT

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabricated Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Industrial Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Printing & Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

186,500
44,900
7,300
37,600
30,300
4,000
6,100
6,300
7,900
7,300
2,000
141,600
6,700
41,000
10,400
30,600
10,800
62,200
15,700
19,800
20,900
1,900
19,000

SEP
1998
186,100 *
45,600
6,800
38,800
31,600
4,600
6,300
6,100
8,300
7,200
2,000
140,500 *
6,600 *
41,300
10,300
31,000
10,600
61,100
15,100
19,600
20,900
2,100
18,800

CHANGE
NO.
%
400
-700
500
-1,200
-1,300
-600
-200
200
-400
100
0
1,100
100
-300
100
-400
200
1,100
600
200
0
-200
200

0.2
-1.5
7.4
-3.1
-4.1
-13.0
-3.2
3.3
-4.8
1.4
0.0
0.8
1.5
-0.7
1.0
-1.3
1.9
1.8
4.0
1.0
0.0
-9.5
1.1

AUG
1999
184,800
44,900
7,400
37,500
30,300
4,200
6,100
6,200
7,800
7,200
2,100
139,900
6,800
40,900
10,200
30,700
10,800
61,100
15,300
19,600
20,300
2,100
18,200

For further information on the Bridgeport Labor Market Area contact Arthur Famiglietti at (860) 263-6297.

DANB
UR
Y LMA
ANBUR
URY

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery & Electric Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instruments & Related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Printing & Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

89,500
22,600
4,000
18,600
10,100
5,300
2,400
8,500
2,400
3,500
66,900
3,000
21,800
3,400
18,400
5,100
25,800
11,200
800
10,400

SEP
1998
88,300 *
23,400
4,000
19,400
10,700
5,600
2,700
8,700
2,500
3,400
64,900 *
2,800 *
21,800
3,500
18,300
4,800
25,600
9,900
800
9,100

CHANGE
NO.
%
1,200
-800
0
-800
-600
-300
-300
-200
-100
100
2,000
200
0
-100
100
300
200
1,300
0
1,300

1.4
-3.4
0.0
-4.1
-5.6
-5.4
-11.1
-2.3
-4.0
2.9
3.1
7.1
0.0
-2.9
0.5
6.3
0.8
13.1
0.0
14.3

AUG
1999
87,800
22,700
4,100
18,600
10,100
5,300
2,400
8,500
2,400
3,500
65,100
2,700
22,100
3,400
18,700
5,100
26,200
9,000
800
8,200

For further information on the Danbury Labor Market Area contact Arthur Famiglietti at (860) 263-6297.

Current month’s data are preliminary. Prior months’ data have been revised. All data are benchmarked to March 1998.
*Total excludes workers idled due to labor-management disputes.

November 1999

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

15
●

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES
DANIELSON LMA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

SEP
1998

20,200
6,300
900
5,400
2,200
3,200
13,900
500
5,000
1,000
4,000
600
4,800
3,000
100
2,900

20,200
6,600
900
5,700
2,300
3,400
13,600
500
4,800
800
4,000
600
4,700
3,000
100
2,900

CHANGE
NO.
%
0
-300
0
-300
-100
-200
300
0
200
200
0
0
100
0
0
0

0.0
-4.5
0.0
-5.3
-4.3
-5.9
2.2
0.0
4.2
25.0
0.0
0.0
2.1
0.0
0.0
0.0

AUG
1999
19,800
6,300
900
5,400
2,200
3,200
13,500
500
5,000
1,000
4,000
600
4,700
2,700
100
2,600

For further information on the Danielson Labor Market Area contact Noreen Passardi at (860) 263-6299.

HAR
TFORD LMA
HARTFORD

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary & Fabricated Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Industrial Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Printing & Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Communications & Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
Deposit & Nondeposit Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insurance Carriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

SEP
1998

606,300
115,700
21,700
94,000
73,700
18,900
13,900
6,100
26,300
20,300
9,000
490,600
26,500
15,300
11,200
124,800
29,900
94,900
70,200
11,700
45,500
175,700
34,700
58,300
93,400
7,600
85,800

605,800
116,800
20,900
95,900
75,600
18,800
14,400
6,500
27,400
20,300
8,800
489,000
26,000
15,700
10,300
124,200
29,900
94,300
71,200
11,800
46,400
174,800
33,200
59,100
92,800
7,900
84,900

CHANGE
NO.
%
*

*
*
*

500
-1,100
800
-1,900
-1,900
100
-500
-400
-1,100
0
200
1,600
500
-400
900
600
0
600
-1,000
-100
-900
900
1,500
-800
600
-300
900

0.1
-0.9
3.8
-2.0
-2.5
0.5
-3.5
-6.2
-4.0
0.0
2.3
0.3
1.9
-2.5
8.7
0.5
0.0
0.6
-1.4
-0.8
-1.9
0.5
4.5
-1.4
0.6
-3.8
1.1

AUG
1999
600,300
115,600
22,000
93,600
73,400
18,800
13,700
6,300
26,300
20,200
8,900
484,700
25,500
14,200
11,300
124,600
30,300
94,300
71,100
11,800
46,000
176,100
34,700
57,200
87,400
7,700
79,700

For further information on the Hartford Labor Market Area contact Arthur Famiglietti at (860) 263-6297.
Current month’s data are preliminary. Prior months’ data have been revised. All data are benchmarked to March 1998.
*Total excludes workers idled due to labor-management disputes.

16 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

November 1999

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES
LO
WER RIVER LMA
LOWER

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rubber & Plastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Nondurable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

SEP
1998

9,600
3,400
500
2,900
2,300
700
1,600
600
300
300
6,200
400
2,100
400
1,700
300
2,600
800
0
800

9,600
3,400
500
2,900
2,300
700
1,600
600
300
300
6,200
400
2,100
400
1,700
300
2,600
800
0
800

CHANGE
NO.
%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

AUG
1999
9,500
3,400
500
2,900
2,300
700
1,600
600
300
300
6,100
400
2,100
400
1,700
300
2,600
700
0
700

For further information on the Lower River Labor Market Area contact Noreen Passardi at (860) 263-6299.

NEW HA
VEN LMA
HAVEN

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary & Fabricated Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paper, Printing & Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemicals & Allied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
Communications & Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eating & Drinking Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

SEP
1998

257,900
50,600
10,400
40,200
25,800
6,700
5,400
14,400
5,200
5,400
207,300
16,600
8,800
54,700
14,400
40,300
11,600
13,700
4,300
7,400
92,300
12,500
28,800
30,000
5,100
24,900

252,700
50,600
10,300
40,300
25,600
6,700
5,200
14,700
5,400
5,400
202,100
13,500
5,700
54,200
14,000
40,200
11,500
13,500
4,100
7,400
90,500
12,400
28,500
30,400
5,400
25,000

CHANGE
NO.
%
*

*
*
*

5,200
0
100
-100
200
0
200
-300
-200
0
5,200
3,100
3,100
500
400
100
100
200
200
0
1,800
100
300
-400
-300
-100

2.1
0.0
1.0
-0.2
0.8
0.0
3.8
-2.0
-3.7
0.0
2.6
23.0
54.4
0.9
2.9
0.2
0.9
1.5
4.9
0.0
2.0
0.8
1.1
-1.3
-5.6
-0.4

AUG
1999
255,400
50,500
10,600
39,900
25,500
6,600
5,300
14,400
5,200
5,400
204,900
16,500
8,900
55,000
14,200
40,800
11,800
13,800
4,300
7,400
90,000
12,500
28,800
29,600
5,100
24,500

For further information on the New Haven Labor Market Area contact J. Charles Joo at (860) 263-6293.
Current month’s data are preliminary. Prior months’ data have been revised. All data are benchmarked to March 1998.
*Total excludes workers idled due to labor-management disputes.

November 1999

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

17
●

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES
NEW LONDON LMA

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary & Fabricated Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paper & Allied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Nondurable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eating & Drinking Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personal & Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
**Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

140,700
29,100
5,100
24,000
13,700
2,100
11,600
10,300
900
8,100
111,600
6,700
28,500
2,800
25,700
8,200
17,400
3,800
36,100
6,300
11,800
36,500
2,700
33,800
29,600

SEP
1998
138,200 *
28,800
4,900
23,900
14,100
2,200
11,900
9,800
900
7,600
109,400 *
6,400 *
28,000
2,700
25,300
8,100
17,200
3,700
35,700
6,200
11,700
35,600
2,700
32,900
28,700

CHANGE
NO.
%
2,500
300
200
100
-400
-100
-300
500
0
500
2,200
300
500
100
400
100
200
100
400
100
100
900
0
900
900

1.8
1.0
4.1
0.4
-2.8
-4.5
-2.5
5.1
0.0
6.6
2.0
4.7
1.8
3.7
1.6
1.2
1.2
2.7
1.1
1.6
0.9
2.5
0.0
2.7
3.1

AUG
1999
141,600
29,100
5,100
24,000
13,700
2,100
11,600
10,300
800
8,200
112,500
6,800
29,000
2,900
26,100
8,600
17,600
3,800
36,500
6,300
11,800
36,400
2,700
33,700
29,500

For further information on the New London Labor Market Area contact Lincoln Dyer at (860) 263-6292.

ST
AMFORD LMA
STAMFORD

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

SEP
1998

CHANGE
NO.
%

AUG
1999

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
207,600
206,500 *
1,100
0.5
207,700
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
33,200
33,300
-100
-0.3
32,400
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
6,100
6,300
-200
-3.2
6,100
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27,100
27,000
100
0.4
26,300
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14,800
14,400
400
2.8
14,100
Industrial Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,700
3,600
100
2.8
3,300
2,200
2,400
-200
-8.3
2,200
Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12,300
12,600
-300
-2.4
12,200
Paper, Printing & Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,000
6,100
-100
-1.6
5,900
Chemicals & Allied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,100
3,100
0
0.0
3,100
Other Nondurable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,200
3,400
-200
-5.9
3,200
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
174,400
173,200 *
1,200
0.7
175,300
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
10,000
10,700 *
-700
-6.5
10,000
Communications & Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,700
3,300 *
-600
-18.2
2,800
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42,900
44,100
-1,200
-2.7
42,900
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11,400
11,600
-200
-1.7
11,300
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31,500
32,500
-1,000
-3.1
31,600
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
25,700
24,800
900
3.6
25,900
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78,100
75,900
2,200
2.9
79,500
Business Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23,500
23,100
400
1.7
23,600
Engineering & Mgmnt. Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11,100
10,800
300
2.8
11,300
Other Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
43,500
42,000
1,500
3.6
44,600
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17,700
17,700
0
0.0
17,000
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,900
1,900
0
0.0
1,900
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15,800
15,800
0
0.0
15,100
For further information on the Stamford Labor Market Area contact Joseph Slepski at (860) 263-6278.
Current month’s data are preliminary. Prior months’ data have been revised. All data are benchmarked to March 1998.
*Total excludes workers idled due to labor-management disputes.

18 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

November 1999

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES
TORRINGT
ON LMA
ORRINGTON

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary & Fabricated Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Industrial Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rubber & Plastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Nondurable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

29,600
7,900
2,100
5,800
4,100
700
900
400
2,100
1,700
800
900
21,700
800
6,700
600
6,100
800
10,000
3,400
200
3,200

SEP
1998
29,700 *
8,400
2,200
6,200
4,400
600
1,200
500
2,100
1,800
900
900
21,300 *
800 *
6,300
700
5,600
800
10,000
3,400
200
3,200

CHANGE
NO.
%
-100
-500
-100
-400
-300
100
-300
-100
0
-100
-100
0
400
0
400
-100
500
0
0
0
0
0

-0.3
-6.0
-4.5
-6.5
-6.8
16.7
-25.0
-20.0
0.0
-5.6
-11.1
0.0
1.9
0.0
6.3
-14.3
8.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

AUG
1999
29,900
8,000
2,100
5,900
4,200
700
900
500
2,100
1,700
800
900
21,900
900
6,800
600
6,200
800
10,100
3,300
200
3,100

For further information on the Torrington Labor Market Area contact Joseph Slepski at (860) 263-6278.

WATERB
UR
Y LMA
TERBUR
URY

Not Seasonally Adjusted
SEP
1999

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . .
GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . . .
CONSTRUCTION & MINING . . . . . . . . . .
MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durable Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabricated Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery & Electric Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondurable Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paper, Printing & Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SERVICE PRODUCING INDUSTRIES . . . .
TRANS., COMM. & UTILITIES . . . . . . . . .
TRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCE, INS. & REAL ESTATE. . . . . . . .
SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personal & Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State & Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

87,000
22,300
3,600
18,700
14,800
900
6,500
4,900
3,900
1,200
64,700
3,600
18,200
2,800
15,400
3,700
27,200
7,400
10,600
12,000
800
11,200

SEP
1998
86,800 *
22,300
3,600
18,700
14,600
800
6,500
4,900
4,100
1,200
64,500 *
3,200 *
18,200
3,200
15,000
3,600
27,200
7,300
10,700
12,300
800
11,500

CHANGE
NO.
%
200
0
0
0
200
100
0
0
-200
0
200
400
0
-400
400
100
0
100
-100
-300
0
-300

0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.4
12.5
0.0
0.0
-4.9
0.0
0.3
12.5
0.0
-12.5
2.7
2.8
0.0
1.4
-0.9
-2.4
0.0
-2.6

AUG
1999
86,500
22,300
3,700
18,600
14,700
900
6,400
4,800
3,900
1,200
64,200
3,300
18,300
2,800
15,500
3,600
27,300
7,200
10,700
11,700
800
10,900

For further information on the Waterbury Labor Market Area contact Joseph Slepski at (860) 263-6278.
Current month’s data are preliminary. Prior months’ data have been revised. All data are benchmarked to March 1998.
*Total excludes workers idled due to labor-management disputes.

November 1999

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

19
●

LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES
(Not seasonally adjusted)

EMPLOYMENT
STATUS

SEP
1999

SEP
1998

CHANGE
NO.
%

AUG
1999

CONNECTICUT

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

1,704,700
1,668,400
36,300
2.1

1,703,200
1,654,400
48,800
2.9

1,500 0.1
14,000 0.8
-12,500 -25.6
-0.8
---

1,736,100
1,700,200
36,000
2.1

BRIDGEPORT LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

215,800
210,100
5,700
2.6

216,500
209,000
7,400
3.4

-700 -0.3
1,100 0.5
-1,700 -23.0
-0.8
---

219,000
213,300
5,700
2.6

DANBURY LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

110,600
109,100
1,500
1.4

109,500
107,400
2,100
1.9

1,100 1.0
1,700 1.6
-600 -28.6
-0.5
---

111,200
109,600
1,700
1.5

DANIELSON LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

32,100
31,300
800
2.5

32,200
31,000
1,200
3.7

-100 -0.3
300 1.0
-400 -33.3
-1.2
---

32,100
31,400
700
2.3

HARTFORD LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

578,000
565,000
12,900
2.2

578,700
561,600
17,100
3.0

-700 -0.1
3,400 0.6
-4,200 -24.6
-0.8
---

586,300
573,700
12,700
2.2

LOWER RIVER LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

12,200
12,000
200
1.6

12,200
11,900
300
2.4

0 0.0
100 0.8
-100 -33.3
-0.8
---

12,500
12,300
200
1.5

NEW HAVEN LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

272,200
266,400
5,800
2.1

271,000
263,200
7,900
2.9

1,200 0.4
3,200 1.2
-2,100 -26.6
-0.8
---

277,000
271,200
5,900
2.1

NEW LONDON LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

153,100
149,500
3,600
2.3

151,700
146,600
5,100
3.3

1,400 0.9
2,900 2.0
-1,500 -29.4
-1.0
---

158,400
154,900
3,600
2.2

STAMFORD LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

193,100
190,300
2,800
1.5

192,800
189,100
3,700
1.9

300 0.2
1,200 0.6
-900 -24.3
-0.4
---

198,900
196,300
2,600
1.3

TORRINGTON LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

39,100
38,500
600
1.6

39,400
38,600
800
2.0

-300 -0.8
-100 -0.3
-200 -25.0
-0.5
---

40,300
39,700
600
1.6

WATERBURY LMA

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

115,000
112,200
2,700
2.4

115,300
111,400
3,900
3.3

-300 -0.3
800 0.7
-1,200 -30.8
-0.9
---

117,100
114,300
2,800
2.4

UNITED STATES

Civilian Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate

139,217,000
133,555,000
5,661,000
4.1

137,903,000
131,864,000
6,039,000
4.4

1,314,000
1,691,000
-378,000
-0.3

1.0
1.3
-6.3
---

140,090,000
134,264,000
5,826,000
4.2

Current month’s data are preliminary. Prior months’ data have been revised. All data are benchmarked to March 1998.

20 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

November 1999

MANUFACTURING HOURS AND EARNINGS
(Not seasonally adjusted)
MANUFACTURING
DURABLE GOODS
Lumber & Furniture
Stone, Clay and Glass
Primary Metals
Fabricated Metals
Machinery
Electrical Equipment
Trans. Equipment
Instruments
Miscellaneous Mfg
NONDUR. GOODS
Food
Textiles
Apparel
Paper
Printing & Publishing
Chemicals
Rubber & Misc. Plast.
CONSTRUCTION

LMAs
MANUFACTURING
Bridgeport
Danbury
Danielson
Hartford
Lower River
New Haven
New London
Stamford
Torrington
Waterbury

AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS
SEP
CHG
AUG
1999
1998
Y/Y
1999
$652.26 $627.66 $24.60 $648.98
671.50 638.40 33.10 668.22
508.75
496.69
12.06
520.51
619.31
625.61
-6.30
649.38
624.62
585.54
39.08
618.80
592.05
577.46
14.59
600.91
699.33
678.78
20.55
691.73
537.01
509.53
27.48
535.10
896.21
808.55
87.66
873.56
608.33
597.60
10.73
608.18
647.36
600.43
46.93
616.10
604.66 604.01
0.65 605.49
526.49
558.11 -31.61
523.34
497.21
461.95
35.26
483.95
338.52
319.13
19.39
336.76
741.64
721.28
20.36
754.97
627.25
609.84
17.41
620.14
737.66
792.51 -54.85
741.01
522.65
513.59
9.06
531.23
825.40 808.30 17.10 867.34

AVG WEEKLY HOURS
SEP CHG AUG
1999 1998 Y/Y 1999
42.0 41.9 0.1 42.5
42.5 42.0 0.5 43.0
40.7 42.2 -1.5 42.7
46.6 45.4
1.2 47.4
42.9 42.4
0.5 42.5
41.9 41.1
0.8 42.8
43.9 43.4
0.5 44.2
41.5 40.6
0.9 42.2
43.4 42.6
0.8 43.7
40.8 41.5 -0.7 40.9
42.9 41.9
1.0 41.6
40.8 41.8 -1.0 41.5
41.1 43.5 -2.4 41.8
41.4 40.1
1.3 40.6
39.5 37.5
2.0 39.9
43.6 46.0 -2.4 45.1
39.4 39.6 -0.2 39.6
40.8 44.8 -4.0 41.7
40.8 40.6
0.2 41.6
40.6 40.7 -0.1 42.6

AVG HOURLY EARNINGS
SEP
CHG
AUG
1999
1998 Y/Y
1999
$15.53 $14.98 $0.55 $15.27
15.80 15.20 0.60 15.54
12.50
11.77
0.73 12.19
13.29
13.78 -0.49 13.70
14.56
13.81
0.75 14.56
14.13
14.05
0.08 14.04
15.93
15.64
0.29 15.65
12.94
12.55
0.39 12.68
20.65
18.98
1.67 19.99
14.91
14.40
0.51 14.87
15.09
14.33
0.76 14.81
14.82 14.45 0.37 14.59
12.81
12.83 -0.02 12.52
12.01
11.52
0.49 11.92
8.57
8.51
0.06
8.44
17.01
15.68
1.33 16.74
15.92
15.40
0.52 15.66
18.08
17.69
0.39 17.77
12.81
12.65
0.16 12.77
20.33 19.86 0.47 20.36

AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS
SEP
CHG
AUG
1999
1998 Y/Y
1999
$665.02 $636.32 $28.70 $638.50
606.11
626.45 -20.34
629.51
517.05
478.18
38.87
505.52
683.49
670.65
12.84
688.08
543.02
536.11
6.91
534.15
627.00
604.82
22.18
621.15
687.26
658.02
29.24
688.97
529.74
529.76
-0.02
517.97
594.09
519.17
74.92
582.69
638.88
597.98
40.90
627.85

AVG WEEKLY HOURS
SEP
CHG AUG
1999 1998 Y/Y 1999
41.0 41.4 -0.4 41.3
40.3 42.1 -1.8 41.8
41.9 40.8
1.1 41.2
41.6 42.5 -0.9 42.5
41.2 40.4
0.8 40.9
41.8 41.2
0.6 41.8
42.9 42.1
0.8 42.9
39.8 38.5
1.3 39.6
41.4 41.5 -0.1 41.8
44.0 42.5
1.5 43.3

AVG HOURLY EARNINGS
SEP
CHG
AUG
1999
1998 Y/Y
1999
$16.22 $15.37 $0.85 $15.46
15.04
14.88
0.16 15.06
12.34
11.72
0.62 12.27
16.43
15.78
0.65 16.19
13.18
13.27 -0.09 13.06
15.00
14.68
0.32 14.86
16.02
15.63
0.39 16.06
13.31
13.76 -0.45 13.08
14.35
12.51
1.84 13.94
14.52
14.07
0.45 14.50

Current month’s data are preliminary. Prior months’ data have been revised. All data are benchmarked to March 1998.

NEW HOUSING PERMITS
Connecticut
Counties:
Fairfield
Hartford
Litchfield
Middlesex
New Haven
New London
Tolland
Windham

November 1999

SEP
1999
894

SEP
1998
984

197
204
67
70
184
77
49
46

194
225
72
74
196
134
49
40

CHANGE Y/Y
UNITS
%
-90
-9.1
3
-21
-5
-4
-12
-57
0
6

1.5
-9.3
-6.9
-5.4
-6.1
-42.5
0.0
15.0

YTD
1999
1998
8,376
8,570
1,744
1,731
660
708
1,946
696
578
313

2,273
2,147
604
541
1,474
739
512
280

CHANGE YTD
UNITS
%
-194
-2.3
-529
-416
56
167
472
-43
66
33

-23.3
-19.4
9.3
30.9
32.0
-5.8
12.9
11.8

AUG
1999
991
232
205
68
94
206
85
53
48

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

21
●

HOUSING PERMIT ACTIVITY BY TOWN
TOWN
Andover
Ansonia
Ashford
Avon
Barkhamsted
Beacon Falls
Berlin
Bethany
Bethel
Bethlehem

SEP YR TO DATE
1999 1999 1998
0
20
18
5
35
21
1
15
29
10
140
160
2
15
20
8
35
19
14
75
68
0
19
20
11
36
33
1
16
12

TOWN
Griswold
Groton
Guilford
Haddam
Hamden
Hampton
Hartford
Hartland
Harwinton
Hebron

SEP YR TO DATE
1999 1999 1998
3
32
35
14
100
94
21
96
111
0
29
13
31
246
76
1
12
12
7
61
75
1
1
3
1
20
17
6
61
59

TOWN

SEP YR TO DATE
1999 1999 1998
2
17
16
10
46
44
2
14
9
3
23
31
9
96
107
5
76
96
6
24
24
2
14
18
0
3
8
1
7
11

Preston
Prospect
Putnam
Redding
Ridgefield
Rocky Hill
Roxbury
Salem
Salisbury
Scotland

Bloomfield
Bolton
Bozrah
Branford
Bridgeport
Bridgewater
Bristol
Brookfield
Brooklyn
Burlington

1
2
0
1
10
2
13
3
1
1

31
25
13
41
44
6
75
51
40
43

29
17
6
29
83
10
69
130
9
38

Kent
Killingly
Killingworth
Lebanon
Ledyard
Lisbon
Litchfield
Lyme
Madison
Manchester

1
3
7
2
3
2
4
1
9
27

11
23
57
33
39
20
41
12
63
93

10
24
45
20
57
17
29
13
77
352

Seymour
Sharon
Shelton
Sherman
Simsbury
Somers
South Windsor
Southbury
Southington
Sprague

6
0
14
6
4
0
3
10
26
1

44
4
141
18
50
27
87
85
226
3

43
3
167
14
62
32
108
79
174
1

Canaan
Canterbury
Canton
Chaplin
Cheshire
Chester
Clinton
Colchester
Colebrook
Columbia

1
3
3
2
6
10
16
8
0
2

4
14
54
13
92
17
62
81
5
26

2
20
35
13
78
9
60
83
10
23

Mansfield
Marlborough
Meriden
Middlebury
Middlefield
Middletown
Milford
Monroe
Montville
Morris

9
6
6
3
2
0
6
2
3
1

54
28
33
20
24
153
212
55
30
13

44
29
41
18
11
110
115
86
31
8

Stafford
Stamford
Sterling
Stonington
Stratford
Suffield
Thomaston
Thompson
Tolland
Torrington

3
18
3
2
0
7
2
5
8
4

37
280
17
74
32
71
38
30
115
85

27
200
16
68
36
175
35
18
91
56

Cornwall
Coventry
Cromwell
Danbury
Darien
Deep River
Derby
Durham
East Granby
East Haddam

1
8
5
46
2
2
2
2
3
8

5
44
47
230
24
18
21
44
19
75

5
48
40
592
17
19
24
33
17
67

Naugatuck
New Britain
New Canaan
New Fairfield
New Hartford
New Haven
New London
New Milford
Newington
Newtown

7
2
2
2
1
0
0
22
7
14

43
8
40
26
21
233
0
146
71
181

36
5
46
20
26
58
1
89
93
196

Trumbull
Union
Vernon
Voluntown
Wallingford
Warren
Washington
Waterbury
Waterford
Watertown

5
0
6
3
13
1
1
8
6
1

82
4
52
20
157
8
9
41
59
50

106
5
19
15
162
7
10
44
61
65

East Hampton
East Hartford
East Haven
East Lyme
East Windsor
Eastford
Easton
Ellington
Enfield
Essex

6
0
5
12
1
1
3
4
5
3

62
4
31
77
14
3
30
108
49
41

34
3
57
122
24
7
33
117
61
24

Norfolk
North Branford
North Canaan
North Haven
No. Stonington
Norwalk
Norwich
Old Lyme
Old Saybrook
Orange

1
2
0
3
8
20
1
4
1
1

4
23
6
141
26
125
17
29
14
12

2
43
3
83
31
96
18
32
20
13

West Hartford
West Haven
Westbrook
Weston
Westport
Wethersfield
Willington
Wilton
Winchester
Windham

2
5
3
3
5
6
1
5
2
10

27
36
34
15
44
31
5
25
13
32

17
23
46
14
35
57
12
37
56
19

Fairfield
Farmington
Franklin
Glastonbury
Goshen
Granby
Greenwich

5
18
0
18
3
7
9

57
106
0
158
24
56
89

95
86
0
200
9
36
99

Oxford
Plainfield
Plainville
Plymouth
Pomfret
Portland

13
6
3
3
3
5

63
38
25
50
29
31

71
30
29
30
26
10

Windsor
Windsor Locks
Wolcott
Woodbridge
Woodbury
Woodstock

4
0
2
1
6
4

39
13
57
21
39
26

39
7
60
29
58
37

22 THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST
●

November 1999

TECHNICAL NOTES
BUSINESS ST
AR TS AND TERMINA
TIONS
STAR
TERMINATIONS
DOL newly registered employers are those businesses newly registered with the Labor Department’s unemployment insurance program
(including reopened accounts) during the month. DOL discontinued employers are those accounts that are terminated due to inactivity (no
employees) or business closure. Registrations and terminations of business entities as recorded with the Secretary of the State are an indication of new business formation and activity. These registrations include limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and foreignowned (out-of-state) and domestic-owned (in-state) corporations.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), computed and published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is a measure of the average change in prices
over time in a fixed market basket of goods and services. It is based on prices of food, clothing, shelter, fuels, transportation fares, charges for
doctors’ and dentists’ services, drugs and other goods and services that people buy for their day-to-day living. The Northeast region is comprised of the New England states, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There is no separate consumer price index for Connecticut or any
area within the state.
EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX
The Employment Cost Index (ECI) covers both wages and salaries and employer costs for employee benefits for all occupations and establishments in both the private nonfarm sector and state and local government. The ECI measures employers’ labor costs free from the influences of
employment shifts among industries and occupations. The base period for all data is June 1989 when the ECI is 100.
HOURS AND EARNINGS ESTIMA
TES
ESTIMATES
Production worker earnings and hours estimates include full- and part-time employees working within manufacturing industries. Hours
worked and earnings data are computed based on payroll figures for the week including the 12th of the month. Average hourly earnings are
affected by such factors as premium pay for overtime and shift differential as well as changes in basic hourly and incentive rates of pay.
Average weekly earnings are the product of weekly hours worked and hourly earnings.
INITIAL CLAIMS
Average weekly initial claims are calculated by dividing the total number of new claims for unemployment insurance received in the month by
the number of weeks in the month. A minor change in methodology took effect with data published in the March 1997 issue of the DIGEST.
Data have been revised back to January 1980.
INSURED UNEMPLOYMENT RA
TE
RATE
Primarily a measure of unemployment insurance program activity, the insured unemployment rate is the 13-week average of the number of
people claiming unemployment benefits divided by the number of workers covered by the unemployment insurance system.
LABOR FORCE ESTIMA
TES
ESTIMATES
Labor force estimates are a measure of the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Prepared under the direction of the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, the statewide estimates are the product of a multiple variable coefficient regression model, which uses results from the
Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of Connecticut households, counts of claimants for unemployment benefits, and establishment employment estimates. Due to the small size of the sample taken in Connecticut, the CPS results are subject to significant sampling error
and produce considerable month-to-month fluctuations in estimates derived from the sample. In general, the CPS estimates, at the 90 percent
confidence level, have an error range of about 1.5 percentage points on a rate of 6.0 percent. An accepted method for calculating the error range
for model estimates is currently not available. Labor force data, reflecting persons employed by place of residence, are not directly comparable
to the place-of-work industry employment series. In the labor force estimates, workers involved in labor disputes are counted as employed. The
labor force data also includes agricultural workers, unpaid family workers, domestics and the self-employed. Because of these conceptual
differences, total labor force employment is almost always different from nonfarm wage and salary employment.
LABOR MARKET AREAS
All Labor Market Areas in Connecticut except three are federally designated areas for developing labor statistics. Industry employment data for
the Danielson, Lower River and Torrington Labor Market Areas are prepared exclusively by the Connecticut Department of Labor, following the
same statistical procedures used to prepare estimates for the other Labor Market Areas, which are developed in cooperation with the U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified the five towns of Canaan, Kent, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon as a separate area for
reporting labor force data. For the convenience of our data users, data for these towns are included in the Torrington Labor Market Area. For
the same purpose, data for the town of Thompson, which is officially part of the Worcester Metropolitan Statistical Area, are included in the
Danielson Labor Market Area. Also, data for Hopkinton and Westerly, Rhode Island are included in the New London Labor Market Area.

LEADING AND COINCIDENT EMPLOYMENT INDICES
The leading employment index is a composite of five individual employment-related series -the average workweek of manufacturing production
workers, Hartford help-wanted advertising, short-duration (less than 15 weeks) unemployment rate, initial claims for unemployment insurance
and total housing permits. While not an employment-sector variable, housing permits are closely related to construction employment. The
coincident employment index is a composite indicator of four individual employment-related series -the total unemployment rate, nonfarm
employment (employer survey), total employment (household survey) and the insured unemployment rate. All data are seasonally adjusted and
come from the Connecticut Labor Department and from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
NONF
ARM EMPLOYMENT ESTIMA
TES
NONFARM
ESTIMATES
Nonfarm employment estimates are derived from a survey of businesses to measure jobs by industry. The estimates include all full- and parttime wage and salary employees who worked during or received pay for the pay period which includes the 12th of the month. Excluded from
these estimates are proprietors, self-employed workers, private household employees and unpaid family workers. In some cases, due to space
constraints, all industry estimates are not shown. Call (860) 263-6275 for a more comprehensive breakout of nonfarm employment estimates.
UI COVERED W
AGES
WAGES
UI covered wages is the total amount paid to those employees who are covered under the Connecticut’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) law for
services performed during the quarter. The fluctuations in the 1992-93 period reflect the effect of the changes in the tax law and the massive
restructuring in the state’s economy.

November 1999

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

23
●

ECONOMIC INDICATORS AT A GLANCE
(P
ercent change from pr
ear
or ref
erence months)
(Percent
prior
ear;; see pages 5-9 ffor
reference
ior yyear
Leading Employment Index .......... +0.3
Coincident Employment Index ..... +4.6
Total Nonf
ar
m Emplo
yment .......... +1.7
Nonfar
arm
Employment
Unemployment ............................ -0.7*
Labor Force .................................... +0.1
Employed ....................................... +0.9
Unemployed .................................. -21.7
Aver
age Weekly Initial Claims ..... -22.1
erage
Help Wanted Inde
x -- Har
tf
ord ....... -6.3
Index
Hartf
tford
Aver
age Ins
erage
Ins.. Unempl. Rate ........ -0.03*
Aver
age Weekly Hours
erage
Hours,, Mfg ......... +0.2
age Hour
ly Ear
nings
erage
Hourly
Earnings
nings,, Mfg ...... +3.7
Aver
Aver
age Weekly Ear
nings
erage
Earnings
nings,, Mfg ..... +3.9
CT Mfg. Production Index ............. +0.6
Production Worker Hours ................ -1.6
Industrial Electricity Sales ................ -1.4
Personal Income .......................... +5.8
UI Co
vered Wages ........................ +5.0
Cov

Business Activity
New Housing Permits ...................... -9.1
Electricity Sales ............................ +11.6
Retail Sales .................................... +2.8
Construction Contracts Index ....... +31.2
New Auto Registrations ................. -29.8
Air Cargo Tons ................................ +1.6

Business Star
ts
Starts
Secretary of the State ................... +15.7
Dept. of Labor ................................. -1.8
Business Ter
minations
erminations
Secretary of the State ...................... -0.9
Dept. of Labor ................................. -5.0

State Tax Collections .................... +2.9
Corporate Tax ................................. -15.9
Personal Income Tax ....................... +5.7
Real Estate Conveyance Tax .......... +0.6
Sales & Use Tax .............................. +5.2

Tour
ism and Travel
ourism
Tourism Inquiries .......................... +40.6
Tourism Info Centers ....................... -5.1
Attraction Visitors ............................ +1.4
Hotel-Motel Occupancy .................. -1.6*
Air Passenger Count ................... +10.0
Emplo
yment Cost Inde
x (U
.S
.)
Employment
Index
(U.S
.S.)
Total ................................................ +3.1
Wages & Salaries ........................... +3.2
Benefit Costs .................................. +2.8
Consumer Pr
ice Inde
x
Price
Index
U.S. City Average ........................... +2.6
Northeast Region ........................... +2.5
NY-NJ-Long Island ......................... +2.2
Boston-Brockton-Nashua ............... +2.7
Consumer Confidence
U.S. ................................................ +6.2
New England ............................... +12.5
Interest Rates
Prime ............................................ -0.24*
Conventional Mortgage ................. +1.1*

*Percentage point change; **Less than 0.05 percent; NA = Not Available

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC DIGEST

November 1999

THE CONNECTICUT

ECONOMIC DIGEST

A joint publication of
The Connecticut Departments of Labor and
Economic and Community Development
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olly Brook Boule
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