jobless claims

New applications for unemployment benefits drop to near a four-year low, government data show, providing further evidence that the U.S. recovery has gained some momentum.

Layoffs soared as the holiday shopping season ended. Still, 2011 was a record year for retail sales, even though the year ended on a weak note for stores.

U.S. stocks wavered Thursday after data showed new U.S. jobless claims rose unexpectedly last week, further evidence of a weak labor market.

Renewed worries about the health of the job market weighed on stocks Thursday after the government reported an unexpected jump in unemployment claims.

Consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in more than 1-1/2 years in February, driven by higher food and energy prices, but underlying inflation pressures remained generally contained.

Stocks turnesd slightly higher in midday trading as investors weighed an unexpected jump in jobless claims against a strong manufacturing report.

Fewer people likely sought unemployment benefits last week, after bad weather caused a spike in the number of those seeking benefits the previous week.

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week, but the figures were largely distorted by rare snowstorms that swept through the Southeast.

The number of US citizens claiming unemployment benefit has suffered its biggest upwards surge in six months, officials said, adding to disappointing data on America's recovery.

More people applied for unemployment benefits last week, just a week after applications fell to their lowest level in more than two years.