Martin Crutsinger AP Economics Writer Washington — A handful of economic reports released Thursday raised hopes for an improving job market with fewer layoffs and more hiring. Productivity slowed more than initially estimated in the first quarter of the year, ...

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By Christopher S. Rugaber AP Economics Writer Washington (AP) — Fewer construction workers will be needed. Don’t expect as many interior designers or advertising copywriters, either. Retailers will get by with leaner staffs. The economy is strengthening. But millions of ...

Tagged with: Federal Reserve job creation jobs Labor Department manufacturing productivity recession

By Christopher S. Rugaber AP Economics Writer Washington (AP) — First-time claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week in the U.S. for the third straight week, a sign the job market is slowly recovering. Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell ...

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By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Productivity surged in the third quarter by the largest amount in six years while labor costs fell. While that indicates inflation is remaining under control, it also signals that workers’ wages ...

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By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Productivity surged in the third quarter at the fastest pace in six years while labor costs continued to drop sharply, a combination that will bolster companies’ profits but leave workers with ...

Tagged with: economy Federal Reserve inflation Labor Department productivity recession

Martin Crutsinger AP Economics Writer Washington — Worker productivity, the single biggest factor determining living standards, grew at the fastest pace in nearly six years in the spring while labor costs fell by the most in nine years, as companies ...

Tagged with: cash for clunkers Labor Department productivity recession unemployment

Martin Crutsinger AP Economics Writer Washington — Productivity surged in the spring by the largest amount in almost six years, while labor costs plunged at the fastest pace in nine years. The results point to a recession losing steam, but ...

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