Jobless Rate Rises To 7.6% as Economy Adds 175,000 Jobs
Employers stepped up hiring in May, a sign the economy continues to grow modestly, despite the federal government's automatic budget cuts.
unemployment rate
The Real Economic Outlook Behind Bernanke's Numbers
Dig deeper into Fed Chairman Bernanke's remarks to Congress this week and you'll see the fragile roots of our economic recovery.
Extended Unemployment Benefits Don't Discourage Job Seeking: Fed
Despite arguments to the contrary, giving unemployed Americans extended jobless benefits of up to 99 weeks didn't prevent them from taking jobs, according a new report.
9 Numbers That'll Tell You How the Economy's Really Doing
We've whittled the vast universe of economic data down to these nine key numbers that will give you a quick handle on the health of the economy.
As the Dow Breaks 15,000, Is It Too Late to Buy?
With the market setting records, it's natural to worry that stocks have gone up too far. But higher priced stocks may still be a good deal.
Jobless Claims Fall, Labor Market Recovery Advances
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, offering reassurance that the bottom isn't falling out of the labor market.
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.
Campaign Promises Revisited: Obama's Mixed Economic Record
A special report looks back at President Obama's campaign promises for jobs and the economy, and what he has done -- or not done -- to keep them.
Jobless Claims Fall Sharply, Raising Hopes Of Revived Economy
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week.
Employers Added 88,000 Jobs in March, Far Fewer Than Expected
American employers hired at the slowest pace in nine months in March, a sign that Washington's austerity drive could be stealing momentum from the economy.
Why You May Be Feeling Left Behind in the Economic Recovery
Many of the U.S. economy's vital signs have recovered from the damage done by the Great Recession, but some measures have a way yet to go.
Fed Seen Maintaining Stance on Record Low Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to maintain its resolve to keep borrowing costs at record lows despite growing signs that the economy is strengthening.
U.S. Stocks Keep Rising as S&P 500 Nears Record High
Encouraging news from the job market pushed the stock market up early Thursday, putting the Standard & Poor's 500 index near its all-time high. The S&P 500 rose seven points to 1,561 -- just four points away from the high it hit in October 2007 -- before retreating marginally after 10 a.m.
Initial Jobless Claims Fall for Third Straight Week
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, the latest indication the labor market recovery was gaining traction.
10 Reasons Why You're Not Feeling Better About the Economy
The Dow is cruising at new highs, 236,000 jobs were created in February, consumer confidence is up, and Americans are feeling secure enough to take on new debt again. But if you're feeling somehow left out of the party, you aren't crazy. Things are still far from golden.
Unemployment Falls to 7.7% as Employers Get Back to Hiring
U.S. employers ramped up hiring in February, adding 236,000 jobs and pushing the unemployment rate down to 7.7 percent from 7.9 percent in January. Stronger hiring shows businesses are confident about the economy, despite higher taxes and government spending cuts.
2 Dow Records in a Row, and Futures Are Heading Higher
U.S. stock futures are heading higher for the third straight day with a raft of economic indicators on tap, ranging from jobs and consumer debt, to productivity and international trade.
Initial Jobless Claims Fall by 22,000, Suggesting Improved Labor Market
The number of Americans filing jobless claims fell more than expected last week, suggesting some traction in the labor market recovery. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 344,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
Some Fed Officials Worried Bond Purchases May Fuel Inflation
Several Federal Reserve policymakers warned last month that the Fed's plan to keep buying $85 billion in bonds each month until the job market is healthy could eventually escalate inflation, unsettle financial markets or cost the Fed money when it sells its investments.
Stock Futures Higher Ahead of Data on Mood of Consumers
Stock futures are moving higher with new data expected to show fewer Americans seeking unemployment benefits and another rise in consumer borrowing.
Student Loan Crisis Deepens as Debts and Defaults Skyrocket
The student loan crisis may be even worse than it previously appeared: Not only are college students graduating with more debt than ever, but their risk of defaulting on their loans is higher than ever, a new study by FICO Labs reveals.
U.S. Added 192,000 Jobs in January, ADP Reports
Payroll processor ADP says that employers added 192,000 jobs in January. That is more than December's revised number of 185,000, which had initially been reported at 215,000.
Consumer Confidence Plunges as Payroll Tax Holiday Ends
U.S. consumer confidence plunged in January to its lowest level in more than a year, reflecting the cut to take-home pay nearly all working Americans were hit with after Washington allowed a temporary Social Security payroll tax holiday to expire.
The Fed Likely to Reinforce Low Interest Rate Message This Week
When the Federal Reserve meets this week, it's likely to affirm a message it intends to help lift the economy: that consumers and businesses will be able to borrow cheaply well into the future -- even after unemployment has dropped sharply.
Initial Jobless Claims Hit 5-Year Low, Signaling a Healing Job Market
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell to its lowest since the early days of the Great Recession, a hopeful sign for the sluggish labor market. Initial claims fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 330,000.
Initial Jobless Claims Inch Up in the New Year
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose by 4,000 last week, but seasonal volatility makes it difficult to get a clear picture of the labor market's health. The prior week's figure was revised to show 5,000 fewer applications than previously reported.
Fiscal Cliff Averted: And Here Are the Next 6 Crises to Worry About
The fiscal cliff has been averted -- at least for now. But if we've managed to dodge one devastating, intentionally-created crisis, there are plenty more massive problems on deck. Here's a list of the next six ways Washington could mess things up for tens of millions of Americans.
Initial Jobless Claims Rise, But Distorted By Holidays
More Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, though the winter holidays likely distorted the data for the second straight week. The Labor Department says weekly applications rose by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000 in the week ended Dec. 29.
Jobs Report: Despite Sandy, Hiring Is Up and Unemployment Is Down
The U.S. economy added 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008. The government said Superstorm Sandy had only a minimal effect on the figures.
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.