Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI March 2010

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high rate and Massachusetts’ far lower rate.

In fact, the latest 3.3% spread still nearly exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in March, the Rhode Island unemployment rate declined slightly at 12.6% while the Massachusetts rate dropped to to 9.3%.

Massachusetts is still experiencing large year-over-year increases to unemployment jumping 20.78% on a year-over-year basis continuing to indicate that Mass is slogging through a period of serious job weakness.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI January 2010

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high rate and Massachusetts’ far lower rate.

In fact, the latest 3.2% spread still nearly exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September 2008, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in January, the Rhode Island unemployment rate stayed steady at 12.7% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 9.5%.

Massachusetts is still experiencing large year-over-year increases to unemployment jumping 28.38% on a year-over-year basis continuing to indicate that Mass is slogging through a period of serious job weakness.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI December 2009

Subtitle: MA Unemployment … Picking Up!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high rate and Massachusetts’ far lower rate.

In fact, the latest 3.5% spread nearly exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September 2008, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in December, the Rhode Island unemployment rate increased to 12.9% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 9.4%.

Massachusetts is still experiencing large year-over-year increases to unemployment jumping 46.88% on a year-over-year basis continuing to indicate that Mass is slogging through a period of serious job weakness.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI November 2009

Subtitle: MA Unemployment … Peaking out or About to Pick Up!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high rate and Massachusetts’ far lower rate.

In fact, the latest 3.9% spread nearly exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September 2008, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in November, the Rhode Island unemployment rate declined to 12.7% while the Massachusetts rate declined slightly to 8.8%.

Massachusetts is still experiencing large year-over-year increases to unemployment jumping 44.26% on a year-over-year basis continuing to indicate that Mass is slogging through a period of serious job weakness.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI October 2009

Subtitle: MA Unemployment … At The Peak?!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high rate and Massachusetts’ far lower rate.

In fact, the latest 4% spread now exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September 2008, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in September, the Rhode Island unemployment rate declined to 12.9% while the Massachusetts rate declined to 8.9%.

Massachusetts is still experiencing large year-over-year increases to unemployment jumping 53.45% on a year-over-year basis continuing to indicate that Mass is slogging through a period of serious job weakness.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI September 2009

Subtitle: MA Unemployment … Look Out Above!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, the latest 3.7% spread remains near the peak and exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September 2008, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in September, the Rhode Island unemployment rate increased to 13.0% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 9.3%.

Massachusetts experienced the nearly the largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping 66.07% on a year-over-year basis clearly indicating that Mass is now embroiled in a period of truly explosive unemployment growth.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI August 2009

Subtitle: MA Unemployment … Immune?!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, after a short period of flattening and decline earlier in the year the latest 3.7% spread remains near the peak and exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September 2008, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in August, the Rhode Island unemployment rate increased to 12.8% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 9.1%.

Massachusetts experienced the nearly the largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping 68.52% on a year-over-year basis clearly indicating that Mass is now embroiled in a period of truly explosive unemployment growth.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI July 2009

Subtitle: MA Unemployment … Ouch!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, after a short period of flattening and decline earlier in the year the latest 3.9% spread remains at the peak and exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September 2008, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in July, the Rhode Island unemployment rate jumped to 12.6% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 8.8%.

Massachusetts experienced the single largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping 69.23% on a year-over-year basis clearly indicating that Mass is now embroiled in a period of truly explosive unemployment growth.

Sinking Ships – Massachusetts vs. Rhode Island Unemployment June 2009

Subtitle: MA Unemployment … Next Shoe Dropping!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, after a short period of flattening and decline earlier in the year the latest 3.8% spread remains near the peak and nearly exceeds ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September 2008, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in May, the Rhode Island unemployment rate jumped to 12.4% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 8.6%.

In June, Massachusetts experienced the single largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping 68.63% on a year-over-year basis clearly indicating that Mass has now entered a period of truly explosive unemployment growth.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI May 2009

Subtitle: MA Unemployment … Next Shoe Dropping!?

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, after a short period of flattening and decline in recent months the latest 3.9% spread has exploded, blasting through the peak set in 2008 and exceeding ALL spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September, is that Mass will be continually playing catch-up.

The latest regional unemployment report shows that, in May, the Rhode Island unemployment rate surged to 12.1% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 8.2%.

In May, Massachusetts experienced the single largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping 67.35% on a year-over-year basis clearly indicating that Mass has now entered a period of truly explosive unemployment growth.

As summer nears look for the unemployment rate to continue the notable acceleration as the second typical seasonal period for mass layoffs culminates mid-July.

Sinking Ships – MA vs. RI Unemployment April 2009

Subtitle: RI Blasts Through 11%!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, after a short period of flattening and decline in recent months the latest 3.1% spread resumed the prior trend, blasting through the peak set in 2008 and exceeding all but one spread seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September, is that Mass will be the one playing catch-up.

Today’s regional unemployment report showed that, in April, the Rhode Island unemployment rate surged to 11.1% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 8.0% from a revised7.7% in March.

In April, Massachusetts experienced one of the largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping 66.67% on a year-over-year basis clearly indicating that Mass has now entered a period of truly explosive unemployment growth.

As summer nears look for the unemployment rate to experience a notable acceleration as the second typical seasonal period for mass layoffs culminates mid-July.

Unemployment Mashup – MA vs. RI March 2009

Subtitle: RI at The Peak?

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, the current 2.7% spread continues to exceed all but one spread seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September, is that Mass will be the one playing catch-up.

Today’s regional unemployment report shows that, in March, the Rhode Island unemployment rate stayed flat at 10.5% while the Massachusetts rate climbed to 7.8%.

In March, Massachusetts experienced one of the largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping 65.96% on a year-over-year basis clearly indicating that Mass has now entered a period of truly explosive unemployment growth.

Unemployment Mashup – MA vs. RI February 2009

Subtitle: Crushing the Gap?!

As I had noted in my original post, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, the current 2.7% spread continues to exceed all but one spread seen in at least 40 years.
This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September, is that Mass will be the one playing catch-up.

Today’s regional unemployment report shows that, in February, the Rhode Island unemployment rate rose again to 10.5% while the Massachusetts rate jumped again to 7.8%.

In February, Massachusetts experienced the largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping 69.57% on a year-over-year basis clearly indicating that Mass has now entered a period of truly explosive unemployment growth.

Unemployment Mashup – MA vs. RI January 2009

Subtitle: Thar She Blows!... Again!

As I had noted in my prior posts, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recently though, we have seen a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but now quickly rising rate.

In fact, the current 2.9% spread continues to exceed all spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September, is that Mass will be the one playing catch-up.

Today’s unemployment reports show that, in January, the Rhode Island unemployment rate rose again to 10.3% while the Massachusetts rate jumped dramatically to 7.4%.

In January, Massachusetts experienced the largest year-over-year increase in unemployment since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust jumping one half of a percentage point and clearly indicating that Mass has now entered a period of truly explosive unemployment

Unemployment Mashup – MA vs. RI November 2008

As I had noted in my prior posts, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Lately though, we are seeing a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but rising rate.

In fact, the current 3.7% spread now significantly exceeds all spreads seen in at least 40 years.
This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September, is that Mass will be the one playing catch-up.

Today’s state and regional unemployment report shows that, in November, the Rhode Island unemployment rate rose again to 9.6% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 5.9%.

In November, Massachusetts experienced the largest year-over-year gain since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust forcing the spread between Rhode Island and Mass to shrink slightly for the first time, to 3.7%, indicating that Mass may finally have reached a point of explosive unemployment growth that will ensue over the next several months.

Unemployment Mashup – MA vs. RI October 2008

As I had noted in my prior posts, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Lately though, we are seeing a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high and accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but rising rate.

In fact, the current 3.8% spread now significantly exceeds all spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen since September, is that Mass will be the one playing catch-up.

Today’s state and regional unemployment report shows that, in October, the Rhode Island unemployment rate rose dramatically to a stunning 9.3% while the Massachusetts rate jumped to 5.5%.

Although Massachusetts experienced the largest year-over-year gain since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust, the spread between Rhode Island and Mass has opened even wider, to 3.8%, further indicating that Mass may be poised for explosive unemployment growth over the next several months.

Unemployment Mashup – MA vs. RI September 2008

As I had noted in my prior posts, historically it has been very unusual for there to be more than a 1.5% difference (either more or less) between the unemployment rates if Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Lately though, we are seeing a historically unusual spread between Rhode Island’s high an accelerating rate and Massachusetts’ far lower but rising rate.

In fact, the current 3.5% spread now exceeds all spreads seen in at least 40 years.

This indicates that either Rhode Island’s current rate would need to fall dramatically or the Massachusetts rate would need to increase sharply…. My sense, especially in light of the financial turmoil seen in October, is that Mass will be the one playing catch-up.

Today’s state and regional unemployment report shows that, in August, the Rhode Island unemployment rate jumped dramatically to 8.8% while the Massachusetts rate increased only marginally (downward revision of August plus .1%) to 5.3%.

Although Massachusetts experienced the largest year-over-year gain since the recessionary environment that followed the tech-led dot-com bust, the spread between Rhode Island and Mass has opened even wider, to 3.5%, further indicating that Mass may be poised for explosive unemployment growth over the next several months.