Labour markets: At the sharp end
While America endures a jobs blight, employment in much of Europe is proving resilient – but the difference could point to problems for both
US downturn
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US jobless rate lowest for five months
The US unemployment rate fell to a five-month low of 9.7 per cent in January, even as the economy shed 20,000 jobs
US jobs data show mixed picture
The US unemployment rate fell to a five-month low of 9.7 per cent in January, even as revisions to earlier data showed the economy losing almost 1m more jobs than previously thought since the recession began
US shoppers splash out on luxury items
More prosperous American shoppers seem to be defying continuing high unemployment levels and economic uncertainty to renew their spending on luxuries such as jewellery, fashion and cosmetics.
Job outlook uncertain as mood lifts
A key question for manufacturers and US economists is whether this surge in industrial activity will help bolster job creation, which has been lagging behind the economic recovery.
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Bankruptcy could be good for America
If the US keeps running huge deficits, sooner or later the country will start flirting with bankruptcy. Oddly, it might be best if the crisis came sooner rather than later, writes Gideon Rachman. For a surprising number of countries, running out of money has been the prelude to national renewal
A job-rich US recovery is still plausible
Meagre expectations will turn out to be wrong, in large part because they mischaracterise how employment has swooned, write Robert Barbera and Charles Weise
US employment
December’s 85,000 drop in non-farm payrolls was a nasty surprise, just as November’s 11,000 fall was a pleasant shock
Creating US jobs
Mr Obama is right about the need for further action, but both the administration and the country are paying the price for a fiscal strategy that abandoned long-term budget control
US engine revs up
The administration is a good third of the way through a stimulus package that is indispensable to prevent growth from slowing down again
Angry Americans feel they are still in slump
For most Americans, the return to growth is a pure abstraction. Next week’s jobless numbers will be the more accurate reflection of the public’s mood, writes Edward Luce
Forecast of muted US revival in 2010
The likely shape of the US recovery remains an open question, with the central uncertainty being how vigorously private demand will expand as government props for growth begin to fade.
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