The tally of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time in five weeks as the job market remained sluggish.
Americans' confidence in the economy improved slightly in August, but the mood is still gloomy amid job worries, according to a monthly survey.
Americans' confidence in the economy eroded further in July amid worries about a job market that has proved stubbornly stagnant. The report raised concerns about the overall economy and the back-to-school season.
Like many people, I woke up Thursday morning and, as I scratched my head, realized we are halfway through 2010.
Wall Street saw plummeting stocks and interest rates Tuesday after signs of a global economic slowdown spooked investors.
The Consumer Confidence Index plunged from 62.7 in may to 52.9 in June.
A sharp drop in consumer confidence helped set off a drop in stocks on Tuesday and renewed worries about the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.
No matter where they look, investors are seeing economic trouble.
The White House kicked off a "recovery summer" public relations blitz yesterday to promote the alleged benefits of stimulus spending. The mood of self-congratulation was interrupted by a Labor Department report that found initial jobless claims for the week climbed by 12,000. A Conference Board survey showed the average wait in unemployment lines increased from 30 weeks at the start of the year to 34.4 weeks in May. It won't be a summer of love in those households.
