Quikrete Industry Dashboard - (Week 49, 2024)

The Week 49 edition of the Quikrete Industry Dashboard shows U.S. average gas prices continue pushing downward ($3.02) from last month ($3.10). Pump prices have shrunk considerably compared with last year's nationwide average of $3.21 in early-December 2023, per AAA's data.

This week's Dashboard also reveals that unemployment ticked up slightly in November (4.2 percent) compared to October (4.1 percent). The most recent figure is much higher compared to November 2023’s unemployment rate of 3.7 percent.

As the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) points out in its November recap, retail jobs took a hit last month:

“Retail trade lost 28,000 jobs in November, after showing little net employment change over the prior 12 months. In November, employment declined in general merchandise retailers (-15,000), while electronics and appliance retailers added jobs (+4,000).” 

However, BLS adds, “Employment trended up in health care, leisure and hospitality, government, and social assistance.” Payrolls also increased by 227,000 in November.

In industry stock news, Beacon (+37.7), Tractor Supply (+37.1) and Sherwin-Williams (+35.5) have posted the biggest jumps so far in 2024. Over the past month, Home Depot’s stock (+7.2) has performed well, while Stanley Black & Decker’s stock ticked down (-11.4).