Non-farm productivity fell for the first time in 1-1/2 years during the second quarter and labor costs barely edged up, according to a Labor Department report on Tuesday that underlined a slowing pace of economic recovery.
There is a significant chance the U.S. economy will slip back into recession in the next two years although a reversal is unlikely in the next few months, researchers at the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank said on Monday.
There is a significant chance that the U.S. economy will slip back into recession in the next two years, although a reversal is unlikely in the next few months, researchers at the San Francisco Fed said on Monday.
Employment probably fell for a second straight month in July as more temporary census jobs ended and private hiring remained too weak to boost a fragile economic recovery, according to a Reuters survey.
New claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week to the highest level since early April, highlighting a weak labor market and the fragile economic recovery.
Anyone puzzled by the reluctance of U.S. companies to hire workers in the midst of what looks like a business-led recovery needs to talk to Robert Harvell.
Companies hired more workers in July but the gains are too slow to reduce unemployment and spur the economy significantly, reports showed on Wednesday.
The dollar was on the defensive near a 3- month low against a basket of currencies after weak U.S. jobless claims figures heightened worries that Friday's payroll data could paint a bleak picture of the U.S. economic recovery.
A weak reading could fuel talk that the Federal Reserve may consider additional easing steps as early as next week, which could put pressure on the dollar particularly against the yen, given the pair's recent strong correlation with U.S. Treasury yields.
Stocks slipped on Thursday as an unexpected rise in initial jobless claims and unimpressive July retail sales highlighted the uneasy economic climate ahead of tomorrow's payrolls report.
Stocks fell on Thursday as an unexpected rise in initial jobless claims and July retail sales that were mostly weaker than expected underscored persistent concerns about unemployment and consumer spending.
Stocks fell on Thursday as persistent concerns about unemployment and consumer spending were underscored by an unexpected rise in initial jobless claims and July retail sales that were mostly weaker than expected.
New claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week to the highest level since early April, highlighting a weak labor market and the fragile economic recovery.
Stock index futures dipped on Thursday as investors took a cautious track ahead of data on first-time jobless claims, a precursor to the monthly jobs report due later in the week.
New claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, government data showed on Thursday, underscoring a weak labor market and the fragile economic recovery.
Private sector employment rose slightly more than expected in July, easing some concerns about labor market weakness ahead of a key government jobs report later this week.
Private employers added 42,000 jobs in July, compared to a revised gain of 19,000 in June
The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms rose 6 percent in July, marking the third straight month of increased layoffs, though downsizing activity appears to be slowing, a report on Wednesday showed.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the U.S. unemployment rate could rise for two months before it drops, potentially deepening Democrats' problems in the November congressional elections.
Economic growth slowed in the second quarter as companies invested heavily in equipment from abroad and the pace of consumer spending eased, raising concerns about the recovery in the rest of 2010.
U.S. economic growth slowed in the second quarter as companies invested heavily in equipment from abroad and the pace of consumer spending eased, raising concerns about the recovery in the rest of 2010.
The dollar fell to an eight-month low against the yen on Friday while global shares slipped on worries U.S. growth data due later in the day may show the world's biggest economy is losing steam.
The retreat in stocks and other riskier assets fed a rally in theoretically safer euro zone and U.S. government bond prices, with comments from a Federal Reserve official that adding to fears about the economy.
