Weekly Jobless Claims , Higher Than Expected at 744,000.
The Labor Department reported an unexpected
rise in unemployment claims on April 8,
despite signs of healing in the jobs market.
This week’s claims are higher than
the Dow Jones prediction of 694,000
and up from last week’s 728,000.
The unemployment rate fell to
6% in March, though it remains
above the pre-pandemic low of 3.5%.
Federal Reserve Governor
Lael Brainard said that though
the economic outlook has
“brightened considerably,”.
“we’ve got some distance
to go before the outcomes
[of full employment and
inclusive gains] are achieved.”