A meager gain in US jobs last month highlights virus’ damage
WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers barely added jobs last month, underscoring the viral pandemic’s ongoing grip on the economy and likely adding momentum to the…
AP Wire
U.S. trade deficit rises to 12-year high $679 billion
WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit rose 17.7% last year to $679 billion, highest since 2008, as the coronavirus disrupted global commerce and confounded then-President…
US employers add just 49K jobs as unemployment falls to 6.3%
WASHINGTON — U.S employers added just 49,000 jobs in January, a sign that that the viral pandemic retains a tight grip on the economy nearly…
German factory orders fall more than expected in December
BERLIN — German factory orders fell more sharply than expected in December, suggesting recent coronavirus lockdown measures are starting to impact industry in Europe’s largest…
Kohl’s offers mixed picture for holiday quarter
NEW YORK — Kohl’s Corp. delivered a better assessment of fiscal fourth-quarter earnings, but a key sales measure was down more than analysts expected. The…
US productivity fell sharply in Q4 while labor costs rose
WASHINGTON — U.S. productivity fell sharply in the October-December quarter while labor costs rose. The Labor Department reported today that productivity dropped at a 4.8%…
US unemployment claims fall to 779,000 but job cuts grind on
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits declined to 779,000 last week, an historically high total that shows that a sizable number of…
Yellen says ‘tough months’ ahead, more relief needed
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says there are “tough months ahead” for the country with COVID-19 continuing to flare, making it critical that Congress…
Bank of England holds off more stimulus as vaccines roll out
LONDON — The Bank of England kept its key interest rate on hold today amid rising optimism about the British economy’s prospects later this year…
Merck loses $2.1 billion in Q4; longtime CEO Frazier to retire
Kenilworth, N.J. — Merck posted a big fourth-quarter loss due to a hefty charge and much higher spending on research, production and overhead. The company…