unemployment rate

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.