We
have examined the nuance of the euphoric jobs data this morning from
every angle and by now there should be plenty of 'information' for
investors to make their own minds up on its credibility. However, the
avuncular CEO of TrimTabs, who despite channeling Lewis Black lately,
likely knows this data a little better than the average Jim on the
street having collected tax witholdings data for the past 14 years, is
modestly apoplectic at the adjustments. In one of his more colorful
episodes, and rightfully so, Charles Biderman notes that "Either there
is something massively changed in the income tax collection world, or
there is something
very, very suspicious about today’s BLS hugely positive number," adding, "Actual jobs, not seasonally adjusted, are
down 2.9 million over the past two months. It is only after
seasonal
adjustments – made at the sole discretion of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics economists – that 2.9 million fewer jobs gets translated into
446,000 new seasonally adjusted jobs." A 3.3 million
"adjustment" solely at the discretion of the BLS? And this from the
agency that just admitted it was underestimating the so very critical
labor participation rate over the past year? Finally, Biderman wonders
whether the BLS is being
pressured during an election year to paint an overly optimistic picture by President Obama’s administration in light of these 'real unadjusted job change' facts. Frankly, in light of
recent discoveries about the other "impartial" organization,
the CBO, we don't think there is any need to wonder at all.
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