WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week after reaching the lowest level in 5 ½ years. But the broader trend suggests companies are laying off fewer workers and could step up hiring in the ...

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Construction jobs are expected to drive growth in Maryland employment over the next few years, a Towson University economist said, helping an industry that he said was “devastated” by the national economic recession.

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WASHINGTON — Companies have all but stopped laying off workers. They just aren’t hiring many. When the government issues the July employment report Friday, it will likely show another solid month of job growth. But the job gain can be ...

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WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve stopped short of signaling any timetable Wednesday for slowing its bond buying. Instead, it dropped hints that it might need to maintain its $85 billion a month in bond purchases, which have helped keep long-term ...

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WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell 24,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 334,000, a sign that steady job gains should continue. The Labor Department said Thursday that the four-week average, which smooths out fluctuations, ...

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WASHINGTON — Chairman Ben Bernanke ended weeks of speculation Wednesday by saying the Federal Reserve will likely slow its bond-buying program later this year and end it next year if the economy continues to improve. The Fed’s bond purchases have ...

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The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2.4 percent annual rate from January through March, slightly slower than initially estimated. Consumer spending was stronger than first thought, but businesses restocked more slowly and state and local government spending cuts were ...

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WASHINGTON — Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Wednesday that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to slow its extraordinary stimulus programs. Reducing the Fed’s efforts to keep borrowing rates low ...

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The Federal Reserve has broadened its oversight beyond banks and now monitors a wide-range of financial institutions that could hasten another financial crisis, Chairman Ben Bernanke said Friday. Bernanke said the Fed is still monitoring banks and other systematically important ...

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WASHINGTON — The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits fell by 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, a five-year low. Layoffs have returned to pre-recession levels, a trend that could lead to more hiring. The Labor ...

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