Last week's economic news included an index of labor market conditions provided by the Federal Reserve, a report on small business sentiment, and a report from the Labor Department on job openings. Weekly jobless claims, Freddie Mac's mortgage rates report and a report on Consumer Sentiment rounded out the week. The details: Labor Market Conditions, Small Business Index Reports Fall According to the January reading for a labor index report released by the Federal Reserve, labor market conditions declined from December's reading of 7.3 to January's reading of 4.9. This index is based on 19 economic indicators and January's reading was the lowest since September. The National Foundation for … [Read more...]