Total unemployment insurance rolls drop for first time since early January

October 1st, 2009 New jobless claims rise more than expected to 551KWASHINGTON — First-time claims for jobless benefits increased more than expected last week, a sign employers are reluctant to hire and the job market remains weak. And while consumer spending jumped by the most in nearly eight years in August due partly to the government's Cash for Clunkers program, economists worry whether that rebound can be sustained with U.S.

September 10th, 2009 New jobless claims fall more than expected to 550KWASHINGTON — First-time claims for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, evidence that companies are laying off fewer workers as the economy improves. The Labor Department said Thursday that initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to a seasonally adjusted 550,000 from an upwardly revised 576,000 in the previous week.

August 27th, 2009 New jobless claims and total benefit rolls dropWASHINGTON — The government says the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for jobless benefits dropped last week, and the number of people remaining on the rolls also fell, evidence that layoffs have eased. Still, both figures remain above levels associated with a healthy economy, and analysts expect the unemployment rate to keep rising.

July 23rd, 2009 Ahead of the Bell: Jobless claimsWASHINGTON — Wall Street economists expect the number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits fell slightly last week, after two straight increases renewed analysts' concerns about the weak labor market. A Labor Department report is projected to show new unemployment insurance claims fell to a seasonally adjusted 565,000 from 576,000 the previous week, according to economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

July 23rd, 2009 New jobless claims rise to 554K, total rolls fallWASHINGTON — The number of newly laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits rose last week, though the government said its report again was distorted by the timing of auto plant shutdowns. Unemployment insurance claims have declined steadily since the spring, but most private economists and the Federal Reserve expect jobs to remain scarce and the unemployment rate to top 10 percent by year-end.

July 16th, 2009 Jobless claims drop but clouded by auto shutdownsWASHINGTON — The number of newly laid-off Americans signing up for unemployment benefits last week, and those using this safety net over a longer period, both plunged. But the government figures released Thursday were clouded by difficulties adjusting for temporary shutdowns at auto plants.

July 9th, 2009 Jobless claims indicate economy remains weakWASHINGTON — Even though new claims for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, dipping below 600,000 for the first time since early January, the number of Americans seeking this safety net points to an economy that is still very weak. Layoffs are slowing, but jobs are scarce, leaving nearly 7 million Americans collecting unemployment checks and retailers looking for customers.

July 2nd, 2009 Initial and continuing jobless claims fallWASHINGTON — The government says the number of newly laid-off workers filing for unemployment insurance dropped last week, a sign job cuts are easing. The Labor Department said Thursday that initial jobless benefit claims fell by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 614,000.

June 25th, 2009 New jobless claims rise unexpectedly to 627KWASHINGTON — The number of people filing new jobless claims jumped unexpectedly last week, and the total unemployment benefit rolls rose to more than 6.7 million. The Labor Department data released Thursday show jobs remain scarce even as the economy shows some signs of recovering from the longest recession since World War II.

June 18th, 2009 US stock futures strengthen on employment dataNEW YORK — A sign of improvement in the labor market restored some of investors' optimism about the economy. Stock futures turned higher Thursday after the government reported that the overall number of people drawing unemployment benefits fell for the first time since early January.

June 18th, 2009 Stocks little changed after employment dataNEW YORK — Stocks were little changed in early trading Thursday as investors took the latest sign of improvement in the labor market in stride. Investors are also awaiting congressional testimony from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on the White House's proposed overhaul of the nation's financial regulatory system.

June 18th, 2009 Jobless benefit rolls post first dip since JanuaryWASHINGTON — On the surface, the government seemed to signal Thursday that more Americans are finding jobs: The number of people receiving unemployment aid fell for the first time since early January. But that doesn't necessarily mean more companies are hiring.

June 18th, 2009 Jobless benefit rolls drop sharply to nearly 6.7MWASHINGTON — The total number of people on the unemployment insurance rolls dropped for the first time since early January, the government said Thursday, while new claims for benefits rose slightly. The report shows that job losses are easing after companies made deep cuts earlier this year.

June 4th, 2009 Jobless benefit rolls fall, initial claims dipWASHINGTON — The number of people on the unemployment insurance rolls fell slightly for the first time in 20 weeks, while the tally of new jobless claims also dipped, the government said Thursday. The Labor Department report provides a glimmer of good news for job seekers, though both drops were small and the figures remain significantly above the levels associated with a healthy economy.

June 4th, 2009 Summary Box: Jobless claims dip, but work scarceJOBLESS CLAIMS EASE: The number of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for unemployment insurance fell Thursday, and so did the total number of people on the jobless benefit rolls. JOBS STILL SCARCE: Still, the drops were small and there is little indication companies are hiring.