The big news last week was the report on jobs here in the U.S. The good news: This was the best first half for private employment gains since 1999. Also hourly and weekly wages increased 0.4% in June, and hourly wages are now up 2.2% over the last year (weekly wages are up 2.5% year-over-year).
Some bad news: a lower percentage of the 25 to 54 year old group (prime working age) were employed and the number of part time workers (for economic reasons) increased. (Source: Calculated Risk).