From various news sources.
The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits dropped to a more than 49-year low last week.
The data pointed to sustained labor market strength despite slowing economic growth.
U.S. small businesses continued their aggressive hunt for new workers and added employees at a near-record pace in March. That’s according to the latest employment report from the National Federation of Independent Business, due out later today.
“Job creation was solid in March with a net addition of 0.50 workers per firm (including those making no change in employment), close to February’s record of 0.52, and up from 0.33 in January,” reports NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg. “Owners are trying to hold on to the employees that they have due to a highly competitive labor market,” he adds
Stocks ended last week higher as volatility slowed, completing their best quarter since 2009. A Friday tweet from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin encouraged investors, referring to "constructive" discussions in the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.[1]
The S&P 500 gained 1.27% for the week. The Dow Industrials and Nasdaq Composite both exceeded that advance: the Dow rose 1.60%; the Nasdaq, 1.42%.[