Unemployment : NPR

The Two-Way

Jobless Claims Rose Less Than Expected Last Week

September 19, 2013 • Economists thought they would hear there had been about 330,000 applications filed for unemployment insurance. Instead, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there were 309,000. Changes in two states' computer systems, however, may still be affecting the data.

Jobless Rate Ticks Down To 7.3 Percent; 169,000 Jobs Added

A recruiter for Cigna greets a job seeker at a career fair in Philadelphia over the summer. Mark Makela /Reuters /Landov hide caption

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Mark Makela /Reuters /Landov

The Two-Way

Jobless Rate Ticks Down To 7.3 Percent; 169,000 Jobs Added

September 6, 2013 • The news is close to, but a bit less strong, than what economists had been expecting. Within the report, though, was a troubling revision: It's now estimated that just 104,000 jobs were added to payrolls in July, not the 162,000 previously thought.

'Pretty Solid Jobs Report' Likely; Will Fed Then Dial Back?

The scene last month at a "Beyond the Dream" job fair in Brooklyn, N.Y. Data on the month's job growth and unemployment rate are due Friday morning. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Two-Way

'Pretty Solid Jobs Report' Likely; Will Fed Then Dial Back?

September 6, 2013 • As soon as the August jobs report is released Friday morning, speculation will begin about how the central bank will react.

The Two-Way

Job Growth Cooled A Bit In August, Report Signals

September 5, 2013 • An employment survey shows 176,000 more jobs on private employers' payrolls. The increase was less than July's estimated 198,000 gain. Meanwhile, the number of first-time claims for jobless benefits dipped last week and remain near a five-year low.

The Two-Way

Jobless Claims Rose Last Week; Still Around 5-Year Low

August 22, 2013 • While 13,000 more people applied for unemployment insurance than had the week before, the trend is still better than at any time since before the last recession began in December 2007.

Jobless Claims Drop To Pre-Recession Level

The scene at a career fair held by the National Urban League last month in Philadelphia. Mark Makela/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Mark Makela/Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

Jobless Claims Drop To Pre-Recession Level

August 15, 2013 • Last week, 320,000 Americans applied for jobless benefits. The figure hadn't been that low since October 2007.

The scene at a job fair in Manhattan earlier this year. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Weekly Jobless Claims Hold Steady

August 8, 2013 • The 333,000 first-time claims for unemployment insurance was a 1.5 percent increase from the week before. But over the past month, claims ran at the lowest pace since November 2007 — just before the start of the last recession.

The Two-Way

Jobless Claims Rose Last Week; Key Orders Up In June

July 25, 2013 • While there was a small increase in the number of people filing first-time claims for unemployment insurance, the rise was largely due to annual shutdowns for retooling at car plants. Meanwhile, orders for durable goods rose last month.

The Two-Way

Weekly Jobless Claims Fall To Lowest Level In Months

July 18, 2013 • Analysts said the numbers signaled continued recovery in the jobs market. The news — plus good news on some quarterly earning reports — sent the stock markets soaring in early trading.

The Two-Way

Jobless Claims Rose Last Week

July 11, 2013 • The increase — of 16,000 claims — may be mostly due to seasonal shutdowns of auto plants, which are retooling.

At a job fair in Los Angeles last month, job seekers filled out applications. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Better Than Expected Job Growth In June

July 5, 2013 • There were 195,000 jobs added to payrolls last month, but the unemployment rate was 7.6 percent. That was unchanged from May.

Good Signs: Jobless Claims Dip And Job Growth Picks Up

A help wanted sign in the window of a clothing store in Pasadena, Calif., last month. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Ahead Of Key Report, 2 Modestly Positive Signs On Jobs

June 6, 2013 • There were fewer first-time claims for jobless benefits last week. And in May, companies announced fewer layoffs. On Friday, the latest day on unemployment and job creation are due. Economists expect to hear that the jobless rate last month was 7.5 percent, unchanged from April.

The Two-Way

New Data Confirm The Economy Isn't Growing As Fast As Hoped

May 30, 2013 • Gross domestic product expanded at a 2.4 percent annual rate in the first quarter, the government reports. At one point, economists thought growth was closer to 3 percent in the first three months of the year.