BMO Capital Markets

• 

  Jobless aid apps hit five-year low

  By Christopher S. Rugaber  |  May 9, 2013

  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.

• WellPoint’s first quarter beats expectations

  By Tom Murphy  |  April 24, 2013

  WellPoint Inc.'s first-quarter earnings rose about 3 percent to trump analysts' expectations, as the nation's second largest health insurer saw a revenue gain from an acquisition. It also raised its 2013 net income forecast.

• 

  Markets solid after drop in jobless claims

  By Pan Pylas  |  April 11, 2013

  LONDON (AP) — The mood in financial markets remained fairly buoyant Thursday after an improvement in weekly jobless claims figures in the U.S. and as the main Wall Street stock indexes eyed new highs.

• Insurer stocks continue climb

  By The Associated Press  |  April 2, 2013

  Shares of several health insurers climbed in pre-market trading Tuesday, a day after the federal government released final Medicare Advantage rate data for next year that points to less severe funding cuts than investors originally had feared.

• 

  Jobless claims jump again

  By Paul Wiseman  |  March 28, 2013

  The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits jumped by 16,000 last week, the second straight weekly increase. But the longer-term trend in layoffs remained consistent with an improved job market.

• Housing, manufacturing give US economy lift

  By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer  |  March 26, 2013

  Gains in housing and manufacturing propelled the U.S. economy over the winter, according to reports released Tuesday, and analysts say they point to the resilience of consumers and businesses as government spending cuts kick in.

• Average for jobless claims at fresh five-year low

  By Christopher S. Rugaber  |  March 21, 2013

  The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid barely changed last week, while the average over the past month fell to a fresh five-year low. The decline in layoffs is helping strengthen the job market.

• 

  Weekly jobless aid claims drops again

  By Christopher S. Rugaber  |  February 28, 2013

  The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell 22,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 344,000, evidence that the job market may be picking up.

• 

  Jobless aid applications fall

  By Christopher S. Rugaber  |  February 7, 2013

  Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, indicating companies continue to hire at a modest but steady pace.

• 

  Jobless claims drop to five-year low

  By Christopher S. Rugaber  |  January 24, 2013

  The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to the lowest level in five years, evidence that employers are cutting fewer jobs and may step up hiring.