Jobless claims surge, spending softens
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The number of workers filing new claims for jobless aid surged last week to the highest since October 2005, and consumer spending softened at the end of last year, according to reports on Thursday that heightened worries about a possible recession.
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Initial U.S. jobless claims surged  unexpectedly last week by 43,000, taking claims to their  highest level since late September, a government report showed  on Thursday -- but an official noted there were seasonal  adjustment difficulties.
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The number of Americans filing new  claims for jobless benefits rose slightly last week, while  wholesale inventories dropped unexpectedly in December in a  good sign for future economic growth, government data showed on  Thursday.
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The number of Americans filing new  claims for unemployment benefits rose 20,000 last week, the  government said on Thursday in a report that continued to be  somewhat inflated by hurricane-related claims.
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The number of Americans filing new  claims for jobless benefits rose a slightly less-than-expected  3,000 last week, a government report showed on Thursday, but  remained at levels indicative of a healthy job market.
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The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits rose 25,000 last week to 349,000, a government report showed on Thursday, with some analysts citing the US Thanksgiving holiday as distorting the data.
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The number of U.S. workers filing initial claims for jobless aid rose 10,000 last week to the highest level in nearly two months, government data showed on Thursday.
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The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless aid shot up last week with its biggest increase in nine months, raising expectations the Federal Reserve will further reduce interest rates to stimulate the economy.
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The number of Americans filing new  claims for jobless benefits rose 25,000 last week to 349,000, a  government report showed on Thursday, with some analysts citing  the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday as distorting the data.
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The U.S. economy grew at its fastest  rate in four years during the third quarter, the government  confirmed on Thursday, but a surge in new claims for jobless  benefits showed the labor market is softening.
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The number of US workers filing new claims for jobless benefits rose by 14,000 last week to 350,000, the Labor Department said in Washington, linking most of the increase to hurricanes Charley and Frances.
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The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose last week by 20,000, the largest jump in a month, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
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The number of U.S. workers applying for jobless benefits rose by an unexpectedly steep 12,000 last week to 321,000, government data showed on Wednesday, but remained at levels still pointing to a healthy labor market.
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New claims for U.S. jobless pay  surged unexpectedly last week to the highest level since late  September, but analysts shrugged off the jump as a holiday blip  and looked to Friday's payrolls report for a better look at the  labor market.
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The number of Americans filing new   claims for jobless benefits edged down by 2,000 last week, the   government said on Thursday in a report showing stability in   the pace of layoffs.
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WASHINGTON -- The number of laid off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits rose last week in another worrisome sign that the labor market is weakening.
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New applications for unemployment benefits fell by 22,000 last week, but the number of workers remaining on jobless aid rose to its highest level in more than two years, government data on Thursday showed, pointing to a weakening labor market as the economy slows.