Labor Department

Jobless Claims Plummet to 5-Year Low

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell sharply last week to its lowest level since the early days of the 2007-09 recession.

U.S. Jobless Claims Climb Slightly

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week, which could further allay fears of a major setback in the labor market recovery.

Initial Jobless Claims Drop To 5-Year Low

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dipped sharply to a five-year low last week, a hopeful sign for the labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 37,000 to a seasonally adjusted 335,000 -- the largest weekly drop since February 2010.

Jobs Report: Unemployment Rate Holds Steady At 7.8 Percent

Hiring by U.S. employers slowed slightly in December, pointing to a lackluster pace of economic growth that was unable to cut further into the country's still high unemployment rate. Payrolls outside the farming sector grew by 155,000, in line with analysts' expectations.

U.S. Jobless Aid Applications Fall to 5-Year Low

The average number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits over the past month fell to the lowest level since March 2008, a sign that the job market is healing. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications dropped 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 350,000 in the week ended Dec. 22. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, fell to a nearly five-year low of 356,750.

Cheaper Gas Lowers U.S. Consumer Prices 0.3%

The seasonally adjusted consumer price index dropped 0.3 percent in November from October, the Labor Department said Friday. Gas prices fell 7.4 percent, the steepest drop in nearly four years. That offset a 0.2 percent rise in food prices.

Initial Jobless Claims Fall by 25,000 as Sandy's Effect Wanes

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell for a third straight week last week, but still remain too volatile to offer a clear signal on labor market conditions. Initial jobless claims dropped 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted 370,000.

Initial Jobless Claims Fall Again as Hurricane Sandy's Impact Fades

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped for a second straight week last week, unwinding some of the surge related to Hurricane Sandy, which has muddled the labor market picture. Initial claims dropped 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 393,000.

Initial Jobless Claims Jump, Hurricane Sandy Blamed

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits surged by 78,000 to a seasonally adjusted 439,000 last week, a 1.5-year high and a sign that superstorm Sandy dented the U.S. economy by leaving tens of thousands of people out of work.

One Year From Retirement? Prepare to Make the Break

With one year left until retirement, you're in the final stretch. It's time to prepare for the transition, so give your budget a stress test, reallocate your assets and income sources, and take action on health insurance. Here are six helpful guidelines:

Weekly Jobless Claims Fell to 355,000

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 355,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The report is a sign the labor market's slow recovery is gaining traction, although Hurricane Sandy's impact on the Northeast may have distorted the data.

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Dropped Again

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, a sign the labor market's slow recovery was gaining traction. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 363,000, below the median forecast in a Reuters poll of 370,000.

Weekly Jobless Claims Drop, Job Market Healing

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, giving a clearer sign that the labor market is healing after wild fluctuations in claims data at the beginning of the month.

Weekly Jobless Claims Drop, Job Market Healing

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, giving a clearer sign that the labor market is healing after wild fluctuations in claims data at the beginning of the month.

Weekly Jobless Claims Rise, Technical Issues Cited

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose 46,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 388,000, reversing a sharp decline in the prior week but still pointing to a labor market that is slowly healing.

Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to Lowest in 4.5 Years

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to the lowest level in more than four and a half years, according to government data on Thursday that suggested improvement in the labor market.

Jobless Claims Rose Last Week -- But Less Than Expected

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits climbed 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 367,000, the Labor Department said. The prior week's figure was revised up to show 4,000 more applications than previously reported.