Unemployment rate falls as U.S. adds modest 164,000 jobs
The overall unemployment rate is now the lowest since December 2000. The rate for African-Americans—6.6 percent—is the lowest on record since 1972.
Economy
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March report shows modest job growth, rise in wages
U.S. employers added 103,000 jobs in March after several months of bigger gains, though the government’s overall jobs report suggests the labor market remains healthy.
Analysts eagerly await news of wage growth to accompany strong hiring
Economists have forecast that employers added a solid 185,000 jobs in March and that the unemployment rate dipped from 4.1 percent to a fresh 17-year low of 4 percent. Was that enough to boost pay?
U.S. consumer spending ticks up, incomes rise
The Commerce Department said February’s modest spending increase followed an equal gain in January and a rise of 0.4 percent in December.
Economic growth last quarter much better than first estimated
The U.S. economy grew at a solid 2.9 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, a sharp upward revision that shows a third straight quarter of healthy growth.
U.S. consumer prices show modest monthly increase
Consumer prices increased at 0.2 percent pace in February, underscoring that inflation pressures appear to be muted for now.
Fourth-quarter economic growth revised down slightly
For the year, GDP rose 2.3 percent, a significant pick-up from 1.5 percent in 2016, which had been the slowest annual growth rate since the economy contracted in the recession year of 2009.
U.S. economy fundamentally strong despite stock market plunge
A wave of fear about inflation and higher interest rates helped send stock prices tumbling Friday and Monday. Yet the rush of anxiety has obscured a fundamental fact about the U.S. economy: It's healthy.
U.S. added 200K jobs in January as pay rose most in 8 years
The pay gains suggest that employers are increasingly competing for a limited pool of workers. Raises stemming from minimum wage increases in 18 states also likely boosted pay last month.
Will bull market continue through 2018? Financial pros weigh in
As 2018 gets under way, investors are wondering whether the good times will continue to roll. Some financial pros are optimistic, thanks to the economy’s robust growth and the anticipated stimulative effects of the GOP’s newly passed tax-reform plan.
U.S. employers post fewer jobs openings for second straight month
With the economy expanding at a solid pace and businesses confident about future demand, hiring is expected to remain solid going forward.
U.S. employers add 148K jobs; jobless rate stays at 4.1 percent
Job gains in December were modest, but still enough to suggest that the economy entered the new year with solid momentum.
Applications for U.S. jobless aid hold at 245,000
Steady economic growth is encouraging more hiring. The unemployment rate is at a 17-year low of 4.1 percent.
Retailers eye merriest Christmas since recession as sales surge
The Commerce Department reported better-than-expected U.S. retail sales for November and revised its October figures upward, bringing a fresh wave of optimism to a long-embattled industry.
U.S. employers add 228K jobs; unemployment rate at 17-year low
Friday's jobs report made clear that the U.S. economy is on firm footing and is likely benefiting from more resilient global growth, with all major economies across the world expanding in tandem for the first time in a decade.
China is giving Cummins a big boost, but will it last?
The company's revenue from China, including joint ventures, rose 46 percent in the latest quarter.
Pace of third-quarter economy better than first estimated
Led by a rise in business investment, the U.S. economy grew at an annual pace of 3.3 percent from July through September, its fastest rate in three years.
U.S. consumer confidence rises to highest level since 2000
The business research index measures consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their outlook for the next six months. Both improved this month.
Indiana’s unemployment rate creeps up to 3.9 percent
The state’s rate has risen from 3 percent in June, when it narrowly missed a state-record low of 2.9 percent.
U.S. hiring jumps as employers add 261K jobs after hurricanes
The unemployment rate declined to 4.1 percent, the lowest in nearly 17 years, from 4.2 percent in September, the Labor Department said Friday.