Weekly U.S. unemployment claims jump by 21,000
The four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose 2,000, to 295,750. That continues to be close to averages that predate the beginning of the Great Recession in late 2007.
Economic Recovery
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U.S. employment openings hit 13-year-plus high
Job openings have increased 17.6 percent during the past 12 months, while hiring has risen 9.3 percent during the same period, suggesting a mismatch in the jobs market.
U.S. employers add 209K jobs; rate rises to 6.2 percent
July marked the sixth straight month of job growth above 200,000, evidence that businesses are shedding the caution that had marked the 5-year-old economic recovery.
As U.S. job market strengthens, many don’t feel it
The economic recovery is entering its sixth year, but a number of factors help explain why many Americans don't feel better off.
Yellen says economy still needs Fed support
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said Tuesday that the economic recovery is not yet complete and for that reason the Fed intends to keep providing significant support to boost growth and improve labor market conditions.
U.S. employment rises more than expected
Employers added more workers than projected in June and the unemployment rate fell to an almost six-year low of 6.1 percent, Labor Department figures showed Thursday.
U.S. consumer spending rises less than expected
Consumer purchases, which account for about 70 percent of the economy, climbed 0.2 percent in May after being little changed in April, Commerce Department figures showed Thursday. Analysts expected a rise of 0.4 percent.
First quarter GDP numbers much worse than estimated
U.S. gross domestic product fell at a 2.9-percent annualized rate in the first quarter, the worst reading since the same three months in 2009, after a previously reported 1-percent drop, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
INDIANA 100: Manufacturing employment lags recovery of sector
Emphasis on efficiency, technology is softening job demand.
Fed slows bond buying with fifth monthly reduction
The Federal Reserve will further slow the pace of its bond purchases because a strengthening U.S. job market needs less support.
Pay raises going mainly to those in select industries
Five years after the Great Recession officially ended, raises remain sharply uneven across industries and, as a whole, have barely kept up with prices.
Improving jobs numbers mask painful recovery
The U.S. economy has finally regained the jobs lost to the Great Recession, but a smaller percentage of Americans are actually working and median household income has declined considerably since before the recession.
U.S. gains 288,000 jobs as rate falls to 6.3 percent
U.S. employers added a robust 288,000 jobs in April, the most in two years. The unemployment rate sank to 6.3 percent, its lowest level since September 2008. But the drop occurred because the number of people working or seeking work fell sharply.
U.S. jobless claims hit highest mark since February
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since February, a dose of mixed news for an economy that appears to be gaining momentum.
U.S. economy slowed to near-standstill in first quarter
The economy’s growth slowed to a barely discernible 0.1-percent annual rate in the January-March quarter, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That was the weakest pace since the end of 2012.
Applications for U.S. jobless benefits rise slightly
Despite the increase, the number remains close to pre-recession levels and points to stable hiring.
U.S. applications for jobless aid reach 3-month low
That average indicates that companies are cutting few jobs, but employment growth has been lackluster in recent months.
U.S. hiring weak in January, but jobless rate dips
The Labor Department says employers added 113,000 jobs last month, less than the average monthly gain of 194,000 in 2013. This follows December's tepid increase of just 75,000.
Fears of slowdown sharpen focus on U.S. jobs report
Investors are looking for evidence of healthy U.S. job growth, but anyone looking to Friday’s monthly employment report for a clear picture of the economy’s health might be disappointed.
IMF raises outlook for global, U.S. economies
The International Monetary Fund is slightly more optimistic about the global and U.S. economies this year than it was three months ago.