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February 1, 2013 The jobless rate was 7.9 percent vs. 7.8 percent in December. But new data show job growth has been better than first thought and ended 2012 on a strong note. Overall, it's estimated that several hundred thousand more jobs were created in 2011 and 2012 than previously thought.

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January 30, 2013 The latest ADP National Employment Report seems to show a modest uptick in employment growth as 2013 began. But it comes after a surprisingly downbeat report about how the economy was doing as it ended 2012.

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January 4, 2013 Growth was in line with expectations and adds to the evidence that the nation continues to add jobs at a modest pace.

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January 4, 2013 The December employment report is due. Economists expect to hear that the jobless rate remained at 7.7 percent and that about 150,000 jobs were added to payrolls. If there is a surprise, some analysts say, it's likely to be better-than-expected news.

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January 3, 2013 Last year, American companies announced the fewest number of layoffs for any year since 1997. That's good news. In December, they added on 215,000 workers, according to a new survey. That's good news too. But last week more people filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance.

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December 6, 2012 The pace of claims for unemployment insurance has settled back into its pre-Superstorm Sandy range. But on Friday, economists expect to hear that relatively few jobs were added to payrolls in November.

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December 5, 2012 The ADP National Employment Report shows slower job growth than in October. The lingering effects of Superstorm Sandy get the blame.

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November 2, 2012 There were about 50,000 more jobs added to payrolls than economists expected. Also: September's growth was revised upward. This is the last major economic report before Election Day and is sure to be a hot topic on the campaign trail.

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November 1, 2012 Claims for jobless benefits dipped and one measure showed a gain last month in private jobs. But employers also announced more layoffs. The picture may get clearer on Friday, when October's unemployment rate will be reported.

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October 4, 2012 It's likely the Bureau of Labor Statistics will say the jobless rate ticked higher and that job growth was slow again in September, economists say. The presidential campaigns will surely be discussing the numbers.

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September 7, 2012 Job growth was weak — yet another sign that the sluggish economy continues to struggle to produce jobs.

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• GRAPHIC: Where Different Job Sectors Stand

September 6, 2012 The ADP National Employment Report has shown solid, not spectacular, job growth for two straight months. Meanwhile, another report finds a 20-month low in layoff announcements. Friday, the government issues its figures on August unemployment and jobs.

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July 10, 2012 There were 3.6 million jobs open and ready to be filled in May if the right candidates came along, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this morning. So why aren't more people getting work? Maybe too many employers are being too picky.

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July 6, 2012 Economists had been expecting slightly better job growth. The jobless rate has been above 8 percent since February 2009. The report adds to evidence that the economy is slowing again.

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