The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid barely rose last week and the average level of applications in the past month fell to a 42-year low.
The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week, matching the lowest level in 42 years, strong evidence that employers remain confident enough in the economy to hold onto their staffs.
More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, but applications remain at historically near low levels in a positive sign for the U.S. economy amid a broader global slowdown.
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since late February. But the increase likely reflected temporary auto plant shutdowns rather than any underlying labor market weakness.
Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, a sign that job cuts remain low as employers are confident enough in the business outlook to hold onto their staffs.
Slightly more Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week. But even with the modest increase, the total number of people collecting jobless aid -- pulled down steadily for months -- fell to near 15-year lows.