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Friday’s business headlines

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Here’s a look at Friday’s business headlines.

Unemployment

The U.S. Department of Labor says 30,691 initial claims were filed in Indiana last week, down from more than 42,000 the previous week.

The number of initial claims has dropped each week since the last week in March when it peaked at more than 139,000.

WalletHub says Indiana ranked 12th among states for jobless claims impact last week.

Mortgage

Mortgage rates have fallen to yet another all-time low.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage last week fell to 3.15% percent, according to a Freddie Mac survey, the lowest in recorded history.

The rate marked the third time since the coronavirus pandemic began that mortgage companies have fallen to the lowest levels in history.

Impulse buying

Impulse purchases – gum, mints and snack bars tossed into a shopping basket – are falling as more people get groceries delivered or pick them up curbside.

U.S. sales of mints are down 30% year-on-year at stores tracked by market researcher Nielsen in the 11 weeks ending on May 16, while sales of gum are down 28%.

Airlines

Southwest Airlines is adding 11 new routes and plans to resume a full schedule by year’s end.

It is adding seats on flights to Las Vegas, Denver, Nashville and Phoenix.

Frontier is also adding flights this year.