NPR Topics: Economy

Jobless Claims Near 4-Year Low As Hiring Picks Up

Weekly applications for unemployment benefits fell 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 358,000. That's the second-lowest level since April 2008. A consistent decline in applications has coincided with ...

Jobless Claims Drop By 15,000

At 358,000, first-time claims for unemployment insurance were the lowest they've been since March 2008. The report is the latest of several recent signs that the labor market is gaining some strength.

Settlement Reached With Banks On Relief For Some Homeowners

Officials have been pressing five banks to offer mortgage relief and some financial aid to homeowners who got crushed when the housing bubble burst or were caught up in the "robo-signing" scandal t...

N.Y., California To Sign Mortgage Settlement

Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank and Ally Financial agreed to the settlement for lowering homeowners' mortgage principal, refinancing, a reserve account, and checks to h...

What Do The Dow's Daily Swings Mean? Not Much.

Even the guy in charge of the Dow doesn't check it every day. Yet we're constantly bombarded by news of the Dow's daily movements.

Potential Conflicts At Freddie Mac Draw Scrutiny

A federal watchdog confirmed it is looking into Freddie Mac investments that act as bets against homeowners being able to refinance. In addition, U.S. senators are expected to probe Freddie Mac's i...

China's Demolition Derby Turns History Into Rubble

Historic buildings in Beijing are being demolished in the pursuit of quick profit. Even the home of the architect who urged Mao Zedong to preserve Beijing's old city has fallen to the wreckers' bal...

States Debate Foreclosure Robo-Signing Settlement

California, New York and a handful of other states have yet to sign on to a deal with mortgage lenders that would resolve the "robo-signing" issue. Lenders have pledged $25 billion to reduce outsta...

Obama Shifts His Position On Super PACs

President Barack Obama's campaign has urged top donors to support a super PAC run by former Obama aides. The president previously called the fundraising groups a "threat to democracy." The Center f...

Keeping Your Resume Out Of Online 'Oblivion'

Many mid- and large-sized companies rely on computerized systems to scan resumes and narrow the field of job candidates. Some tracking software may overlook qualified applicants who haven't used th...