Jobless Claims Drop, But Caution Remains In a somewhat hopeful sign for the U.S. labor market, jobless claims fell to 233,000 last week, slightly below what economists had expected. It’s a signal that layoffs may be slowing down, at least for now. But as this week’s business insights point out, it’s not the full story.…
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council is using federal procurement to upgrade its Deepwater Horizon Project Tracker, helping track billions in restoration funds, prevent overlap, and ensure a coordinated recovery across Gulf states and agencies. Fifteen years have passed since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Work to restore the Gulf Coast is in full swing.…
The U.S. Navy has dropped a colossal $986.8 million contract modification. It is into the hands of General Dynamics Electric Boat, igniting a submarine construction boom that will ripple through 2031. This submarine construction deal powers the creation of Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, Virginia-class attack subs, and even lends a hand to Ford-class aircraft carriers.…
A Surge in Spending, But Not in Sales In a surprising development for 2025, U.S. corporations are investing in capital expenditures at a pace that now outstrips their sales growth. New data shows that capital investment is growing at a 9.4% rate, compared to only modest increases in revenue. That’s nearly four times the gap…
Big Layoffs, Big Strategy Shift In a move that has captured the tech world’s attention, Intel is cutting 15–20% of its global workforce as part of a massive restructuring effort. This decision, disclosed in this week’s industry brief, reflects Intel’s urgent need to recalibrate its priorities amid rising competition and slowing demand in the semiconductor…
The U.S. Navy has ignited a $1.5 billion IT procurement revolution.Awarding eight small businesses a five-year contract to deliver cutting-edge Microsoft enterprise and cloud services. This second iteration of the Microsoft Enterprise Services (MES II) contract, a cornerstone of the Department of Defense Enterprise Software Initiative, redefines IT procurement by empowering small firms. Unlike the…
Planes Take Off—and So Do Orders In a welcome jolt of positive news, U.S. durable goods orders surged 16.4% in May, driven largely by a massive rebound in commercial aircraft sales. According to the Commerce Department, transportation equipment rose by a staggering 230.8%, largely due to bulk orders from airlines refreshing aging fleets and preparing…
Buckle up for a high-seas adventure in the world of defense contracts, where American Petroleum Tankers (APT) just landed a potential $185.2 million deal with the U.S. Navy! This Blue Bell, Pennsylvania-based company is ready to charter a Jones Act-compliant tanker that’s a true titan of fuel transport, capable of hauling 280,000 barrels of clean…
Signs of Stress in the Services Economy The U.S. services sector, which makes up roughly 80% of the American economy, just flashed a warning sign. The Institute for Supply Management’s Services PMI dipped to 49.9 in June, marking the first contraction in this sector since mid-2024. While that number might look small, it’s big news…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is diving headfirst into the world of artificial intelligence. Taking steps like transforming its operations with more tech savvy options. Artificial intelligence at the forefront, USPTO’s tools like the Scout chatbot and PE2E search system are leading the industry. Boosting efficiency for patent examiners and trademark attorneys. Scout,…