Tag Archives: percent

Unemployment rate falls in two-thirds of US states

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The unemployment rate fell in two-thirds of U.S. states last month, evidence that modest economic growth is boosting hiring in most areas of the country. And in many states, unemployment has fallen well below the national average, which was 8.1 percent last month. The rate was under 7 percent in 22 states in April. That compares with only 13 states in April 2011. The Labor Department said Friday that the unemployment rate dropped in 37 states in … Continue reading

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Wall Street rises 1 percent on jobs, Europe (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) ? Major stock indexes rose more than 1 percent on Friday after data showed the U.S. jobless rate dropped to a 2-1/2 year low and as policymakers appeared to move closer to tackling Europe’s debt crisis. The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) gained 121.24 points, or 1.01 percent, to 12,141.27. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (.SPX) gained 15.10 points, or 1.21 percent, to 1,259.68. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) gained 32.59 points, or 1.24 percent, to … Continue reading

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Housing starts drop underscores economic woes (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) ? New construction of homes fell more than expected in August, dragging on economic growth and keeping pressure on President Barack Obama to do more to help the sputtering economy. Housing starts dropped 5 percent, the most since April, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 571,000 units, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast groundbreaking activity would fall to only a 590,000-unit rate in August. Housing starts are at less than a … Continue reading

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