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.