UNEMPLOYMENT

Stocks were rising Friday on the September jobs report, with many analysts calling the 103,000 jobs created last month encouraging and others saying it confirmed their view that early August economic reports exaggerated U.S. weakness.

The most urgent threat to the U.S. economy is joblessness, not inflation, but there is little more the Federal Reserve can do to help, a top Fed official, known for his hawkish views on inflation, said on Friday.

Jobs growth was stronger than expected in September thanks to private-sector growth, easing fears the economy is slipping back into recession, but the unemployment rate was unchanged.

Stocks were little changed on Friday following a three-day rally after more jobs were created than expected in September, helping to ease concerns the economy was heading back into recession.

The U.S. economy unexpectedly added 103,000 jobs in September -- nearly double the consensus estimate. It's the best news for the world's largest economy in several months, and if a job growth trend forms, the nation's high unemployment rate will start to decline -- and that would be a welcome sight for investors and job-seekers alike.

Employment grew more than expected in September and job gains for the prior months were revised higher, according to a government report on Friday that could ease fears the economy was heading into recession.

Employment grew more than expected in September and job gains for the prior months were revised higher, according to a government report on Friday that could ease fears the economy was heading into recession.

Gold prices edged higher Thursday after the government reported surprisingly strong September hiring, but not strong enough to lower the nation's nominal unemployment rate.

U.S. stock futures jumped Friday on a better-than-expected September jobs report, but growth remained to weak to lower the unemployment rate, which remains stuck at 9.1 percent.

Employment grew more than expected in September and job gains for the prior months were revised higher, according to a government report on Friday that could ease fears the economy was heading into recession.

Stock index futures eased on Friday after a three-day Wall Street rally and ahead of a closely watched monthly jobs report, which is expected to show moderate gains after last month's flat reading.

Employment likely grew only modestly in September, with hiring too weak to pull down a lofty jobless rate and dispel recession fears.

Equities were expected to steady on Friday after sharp gains in the previous session, with futures for the S&P 500 staying flat, for the Dow Jones gaining 0.08 percent and for the Nasdaq 100 falling 0.07 percent.

U.S. employment likely grew only modestly in September, with hiring too weak to pull down a lofty jobless rate and dispel recession fears.

California's leaders will next week get their first look at the state's September revenue, which will go a long way to determining whether they will need to cut yet more spending.

New claims for unemployment benefits rose modestly last week but hovered near levels normally associated with improving labor market conditions, in a hopeful sign for the struggling economy.

U.S. stocks continued to rally on Thursday’s afternoon session ahead of Friday’s all-important September jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

New claims for unemployment benefits rose modestly last week but hovered near levels normally associated with improving labor market conditions, a hopeful sign for the struggling economy.

The growing anti-Wall Street protests in New York and across the country are an understandable reaction to persistently high unemployment, a top U.S. Federal Reserve official said on Thursday.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell below 4 percent for the first time in history to 3.94 percent.

President Barack Obama launched a broad onslaught against banks on Thursday, tapping into public anger over rising fees to garner populist support ahead of his 2012 re-election campaign.