In August, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1%, seasonally adjusted (SA); rising 1.7% over the year, not seasonally adjusted (NSA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3% in August, SA; up 2.4% over the year, NSA.

Real average hourly earnings increased 0.4% over the month in August, SA. Average hourly earnings increased 0.4% and CPI-U increased 0.1%. Real average weekly earnings increased 0.6% over the month.

In the week ending September 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims for unemployment insurance was 204,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week’s revised level of 219,000, the Labor Department reported. The four-week moving average was 212,500, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week’s revised average of 216,750.

The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 3.56%, up from 3.49% one week ago, according to Freddie Mac. The average interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 3.09%, up from 3%.

Thursday, the Dow was up 45.41 points (0.17%) at 27,182.45, the NASDAQ gained 24.79 points (0.30%) to finish at 8,194.47, and the S&P 500 closed 8.64 points (0.29%) higher at 3,009.57. The Russell 2000 climbed 32.08 points (2.08%) to 1,575.07, and the Wilshire 5000 increased 62.89 points (0.20%) to 30,785.60.

The price of the 10-year Treasury note was down 4/32, increasing its yield to 1.786%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond fell 31/32, increasing its yield to 2.269%.

ON THIS DATE: In 1898, Hannibal Williston Goodwin patented celluloid photographic film, which is used to make movies. In 1922, in El Azizia, Libya, the highest shade temperature was recorded at 136.4 degrees Fahrenheit. In 1948, the School of Performing Arts opened in New York City. It was the first public school to specialize in performing arts. In 1948, Margaret Chase Smith was elected to the Senate and became the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress. In 1949, the Ladies Professional Golf Association of America was formed. In 1971, in New York, National Guardsmen stormed the Attica Correctional Facility and put an end to a four-day revolt. A total of 43 people were killed in the final assault. In 1977, the first diesel automobiles were introduced by General Motors. In 2001, Secretary of State Colin Powell named Osama bin Laden as the prime suspect in the terror attacks on the United States on September 11. In addition, limited commercial flights resumed in the U.S. for the first time in two days.

And now it’s time for FRIDAY FILES!

In Safety Harbor, Florida (ironic name), a man woke up to find a person in his home cooking and eating. News reports say the burglar told the resident to “go back to sleep,” but ran from the home when the man called authorities.

In Clearwater, Florida, a woman is accused of physically assaulting her wife for… falling asleep in her spot on the bed. According to an arrest affidavit, the victim told police that her wife “was upset she was sleeping in her spot on the bed.” The wife “kicked the victim off the bed with her feet.” When the victim sought to “get back up onto the bed” several hours later, her wife allegedly punched her multiple times in the back of the neck. According to The Smoking Gun, when questioned by Clearwater police, the wife said she “snapped” and did slap the victim, but claimed that she struck the victim because the victim hit her first.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!