U.S. employers cut a far fewer-than-expected 11,000 jobs in November, the smallest decline since the start of the recession in December 2007, government data showed on Friday, strongly suggesting the deterioration in the labor market was in its final stages.
Canada's economy added far more jobs than expected in November, more than erasing the losses in October and suggesting a recovery is in the making.
Asian stocks held most of the week's gains before monthly U.S. jobs data on Friday, although property and bank shares fell in many markets as soft U.S. data raised concerns about the pace of economic recovery.
President Barack Obama on Thursday urged corporate America to help tackle the nation's highest unemployment in 26 years but also hinted at federal tax credits and aid to states to ease jobless woes.
An index of the U.S. services sector shrank in November to its lowest since July, according to a report released on Thursday that shocked economists who had forecast a recovery from recession was picking up steam.
U.S. stocks fell on Thursday after the vast U.S. services sector unexpectedly shrank in November and as nervousness rose a day before the monthly payrolls data.
The dollar is slightly lower against the majors in the Thursday session, drifting past the 1.51-handle versus the euro and around 0.93 against the Australian dollar. Weekly jobless claims, released earlier today was slightly better than expected, drifting lower to 457k from 466k a week earlier and besting estimates for an increase to 480k.
The U.S. services sector contracted in November, with an index measuring activity falling to its lowest reading since July, according to a report released on Thursday that was a shock to economists forecasting the economic recovery was gathering pace.
New applications for U.S. jobless benefits unexpectedly fell last week to the lowest level in more than 14 months, suggesting a labor market edging toward stability, while productivity was less robust in the third quarter.
The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for jobless insurance unexpectedly fell last week to the lowest level in more than 14 months, government data showed on Thursday, pointing to a moderation in the pace of job losses.
U.S. online job postings fell slightly in November, due to a dip in demand for health care-related positions and employers' continued unease regarding economic recovery, a private research group said on Thursday.
President Barack Obama turns his attention on Thursday from Afghanistan to the battle against unemployment which has sapped his popularity and may shape his political future.
The Aussie dollar bounced from an early morning dip to 0.9235 yesterday to trade within a whisker of the 93 cent handle overnight buoyed by gains in commodity and equity markets.
The U.S. labor market improved in November, with private sector job losses declining for the eighth straight month and employers planning fewer layoffs, separate reports showed on Wednesday.
The U.S. labor market improved in November, with the number of jobs lost in the private sector falling again and the number of planned layoffs also easing, separate reports showed on Wednesday.
The weak U.S. economy is improving modestly with little upward pressure on wages and finished goods despite commodity price gains, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday in a report that gives it little reason to move from its current ultra-low interest rates.
The U.S. labor market improved in November, with the number of jobs lost in the private sector falling again and the number of planned layoffs also easing, separate reports showed on Wednesday.
The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms shrank in November to the lowest level in nearly two years, suggesting corporate labor force cuts are tapering off even if actual hiring appears a distant prospect.
President Barack Obama's top economic adviser said on Monday that tackling high U.S. unemployment was vital but the problem would take time to fix.
Millions of unemployed U.S. workers face sharply higher health insurance premiums and loss of coverage as temporary federal subsidies expire, a healthcare advocacy group said on Tuesday.
Euro zone unemployment remained stable at an 11-year high in October but September jobless numbers were higher than previously reported, showing the labour market has yet to feel the effects of nascent economic recovery.
Job losses in the United States slowed sharply in November, cushioned by seasonal adjustments and a budding economic recovery that is encouraging some companies to retain workers, a Reuters survey predicts.
