Economy, Labor Market | featured news

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell sharply for the second straight week, suggesting the job market is slowly recovering.

Job openings in March were the most in 2-1/2 years, a government report showed on Wednesday, pointing to a firming labor market tone.

Consumers felt better about the short-term outlook for the economy in April as expectations about the pace of inflation and concerns about the labor market eased.

More people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the first increase in three weeks. Still, the broader trend points to a slowly healing jobs market.

Fast-food chain McDonald’s said Monday that it plans to hire as many as 50,000 additional employees in the United States later this month.

The report, slightly exceeding economists’ expectations, added to hope that hiring was finally on a steadier track.

New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, a government report showed on Thursday, further evidence a material improvement in the labor market was under way.

U.S. initial jobless claims fell more than expected last week and showed their biggest decline since February, in a hopeful sign for the U.S. labor market.

U.S. jobless claims jumped unexpectedly last week to their highest level since October, suggesting the labor market is still in a rut despite signs of improvement in the economy.

New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week and the four-week moving average hovered at two-year lows, according to a government report on Thursday that revived hopes a labor market recovery was under way.