By The Numbers

Bubble wrap just doesn’t burst like it used to

Tony Wagner Jul 2, 2015
223,000

That’s how many U.S. jobs were added in June, with the unemployment rate declining to 5.3 percent, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But as the New York Times reports, economists have pointed out that the unemployment rate fell for the wrong reason: people exiting the workforce.

$1.9 billion

That’s how much Puerto Rico paid back Wednesday of its $72 billion in debts, narrowly avoiding default. Puerto Rico makes up a small part of the bond market but it’s an attractive place for investors, and some are getting worried that the market as a whole could take a hit if the country becomes “America’s Greece” and fails to pay back what it owes.

$20 billion

That’s the sales taken in for … wait for it … bubble wrap in 2013. But Sealed Air Corp., the original seller of the packing material, has lately seen its sales deflate (pun-intended). That’s why it’s starting to sell a revamped version of the product that comes in flat rolls and is inflated by the buyer with a specialized pump. But we’ll let the Wall Street Journal burst your bubble on this one: the new wrap doesn’t pop like it used to.

$2

That’s what a monthly subscription to Apple Music costs in India, a fifth of the U.S. price, and it’s not the only country where subscriptions are slashed. Quartz points out other local and international music services already enjoy a foothold in these emerging markets. For example Rdio costs a mere $0.60 in India. Apple is uncharacteristically bringing prices down to stay competitive, betraying its latecomer status in the streaming business.

$45 million

That’s how much Hillary Clinton has raised in her first quarter as an official presidential candidate, breaking the fundraising record sent by President Barack Obama last cycle. Bloomberg notes her dominance could be short lived, as other campaigns and super PACs haven’t disclosed their donations yet.

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