Socioeconomics | GlobalPost

Weekly US unemployment aid applications jump to 360,000, highest in 6 weeks

The Canadian PressMay 16, 2013 10:01

WASHINGTON - The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose 32,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 360,000, the most since late March. The jump came a week after applications had reached a five-year low. The less volatile four-week average rose just 1,250 to 339,250, the Labor Department said Thursday. That's a level consistent with modest job gains. "The underlying story in jobless claims continues to be one of gradual improvement," said Julia Coronado, an economist at BNP Paribas.

US weekly jobless claims jump to 360,000

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 09:17

New claims for US unemployment insurance benefits jumped sharply last week after coming in unexpectedly low for several weeks, the Labor Department said Thursday. Initial jobless claims, a sign of the pace of layoffs, rose to 360,000 in the week ending May 11, up 32,000 from the previous week's revised figure. The four-week moving average increased 1,250 to 339,250, but was well below the 372,750 figure for a year earlier. pmh/vs

French Senate to vote on significant labour reforms govt hopes will help cut unemployment

The Canadian PressMay 14, 2013 18:48

PARIS - France's parliament is expected to pass a package of significant labour reforms Tuesday that the government hopes will help stop rising unemployment and jumpstart the country's stagnant economy. President Francois Hollande has promoted the bill as one of his administration's signature pieces of legislation which will reform the country's notoriously hidebound labour market. It includes measures such as making it easier for workers to change jobs and for companies to fire employees.

What recovery? For young Canadians, labour market as bad as during the recession

The Canadian PressMay 11, 2013 23:15

OTTAWA - Whether jobs are created or lost on any given month, the one constant in Canada's post-recession employment record has been that for young people, the news has always bad. And the lack of progress in job creation for young Canadians is becoming a political liability for the Harper government that continues to boast of having the best employment record in the G7.

Jobless claims fall to lowest level in almost five-and-half years

Thomson ReutersMay 9, 2013 20:15

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped to its lowest level in nearly 5-1/2 years last week, signaling labor market resilience in the face of fiscal austerity. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, the lowest level since January 2008, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

Weekly US unemployment aid applications fall to 323,000, lowest in more than 5 years

The Canadian PressMay 9, 2013 10:00

WASHINGTON - The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits fell by 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, a five-year low. Layoffs have returned to pre-recession levels, a trend that could lead to more hiring. The Labor Department said Thursday that the less volatile four-week average dropped 6,250 to 336,750. That the fewest since November 2007, one month before the Great Recession began.

Column: An extraordinary summer

Thomson ReutersMay 8, 2013 12:33

By James Saft (Reuters) - Put away the sunblock and beach towels, for central bankers this is going to be yet another summer of extraordinary measures. Major central banks around the world, struggling with low growth and sagging inflation, seem to be moving towards joining their peers at the Bank of Japan in considering even more radical measures to stimulate growth.

US employers added 165K jobs in April, lowering unemployment rate to 4-year low of 7.5 pct.

The Canadian PressMay 3, 2013 09:00

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy showed last month why it remains the envy of industrialized nations: In the face of tax increases and federal spending cuts, employers added a solid 165,000 jobs in April — and far more in February and March than anyone thought.

April jobs report will show whether employers remain cautious about stepping up hiring

The Canadian PressMay 2, 2013 17:15

WASHINGTON - A report Friday on April employment could show whether weak hiring in March marked a temporary lull or the fourth year in which a slumping economy has slowed job growth. Economists predict that the job gains likely improved on March's 88,000 — the fewest in nine months. But the hiring isn't expected to be much better. Most analysts think employers in April added more than 100,000 jobs but far fewer than the 196,000 that were added on average from September through February. The unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at a still-high 7.6 per cent.

US weekly jobless claims fall to 5-year low

Agence France-PresseMay 2, 2013 09:45

New claims for US unemployment benefits fell for last week to a five-year low, the US Labor Department said Thursday. Initial jobless claims, an indicator of the pace of layoffs, fell by 18,000 to 324,000 in the week ending April 27, the department said. That was the lowest level since mid-January 2008, when claims totaled 321,000. Analysts on average had expected claims to rise to 346,000. The four-week moving average of first-time claims also fell, by 16,000 to 342,250.