Featured Data Additions, December 26, 2025

SURVEYS → Federal Reserve Surveys and Indicators → Recent College Graduates Labor Market

Labor market statistics for recent college graduates in the US were added to the SURVEYS database. This data set includes unemployment rates, underemployment rates, and annual wage data for recent college graduates and other selected demographics useful for comparison. These monthly and annual data are sourced from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and start in 1990.

Chart: Labor market conditions remained challenging for recent college graduates during the third quarter of 2025. The unemployment rate increased to 5.8% in September and remained elevated for the quarter at an average of 5.3%. The underemployment rate rose to 41.8% - its highest level since 2020. Underemployment is defined as the share of college graduates working in jobs that typically do not require a college degree.

INTDAILY → Asia and Australasia → China → Capital Markets → Margin Transactions

Shenzhen stock market margin transaction statistics were added to the INTDAILY and INTWKLY databases. Series include margin transactions outstanding and turnover, in addition to short selling outstanding, selling volume and a balance. These data are sourced from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and begin in March 2010.

Chart: Investors are borrowing heavily to buy stocks, showing high confidence and a risk-on sentiment fueled by optimism in the tech & AI sectors. While a record, overall leverage (margin as % of market cap) is lower than 2015's crash peak, but the pace of borrowing is rapid. This surge contrasts with weak economic growth, the property crisis, and US trade tensions, which leads to overheating warnings and regulatory scrutiny FOR THE Chinese stock market.

USTRADE → Imports by Rate Provision (Duty Code)

Imports by rate provision statistics for the US were added to the USTRADE database. These figures represent the amount of imports entering the US, broken down by the types of duties or rate provisions that were set in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Different classifications of duty free items and items subject to duties are available. These monthly data are sourced from the Census Bureau and begin in January 2002.

Chart: Chapter 99 covers temporary changes including Administration actions, where the president can make new rules such as reciprocal tariffs, punitive tariffs and other modifications. On a YTD basis through September, imports where a duty was reported under chapter 99 increased by 341% year over year. Although all world regions have experienced sharp increases in chapter 99 duties since February, note how regions that previously paid little to no chapter 99 duties are now subject to them.

ASIAER → South Korea → Employment and Earnings → Number of Employees Insured

Employment insurance statistics for South Korea were added to the ASIAER database. Concepts include number of insured persons, number of newly-insured, and number losing employment insurance. Data are available for 17 regions in South Korea. These monthly data are sourced from the Korea Employment Information Service and start in January 2007.

Chart: While the total number of subscribers continues to increase, the rate of increase year-over-year has decelerated substantially due to a tight job market, a shrinking working-age population, and economic downturns in key sectors. In November 2025, the number of regular subscribers was 15.7 million, an increase of just 1.2% year-on-year, which is one of the slowest growth rates on record and reveals deep cracks in Korea’s social protection system that requires more inclusive policy strategies.