The best hiring market in five years should limit the damage from inflation and position the economy to thrive in the second half of the year.

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits plummeted last week, reversing nearly all the sharp rise reported the previous week.

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits surged last week to the highest level in eight months, a troubling sign a day ahead of the government's report on April employment.

More people sought unemployment benefits last week, the second rise in three weeks, a sign of the slow and uneven jobs recovery.

The unemployment rate fell in two-thirds of the nation's states last month, the latest evidence that the strengthening economy is encouraging many employers to boost hiring.

Businesses in February posted the largest number of job openings in more than two years, evidence that hiring is picking up as the economy grows.

The Labor Department reports that the number of people seeking benefits dropped to 382,000 in the week ending April 2; the third drop in four weeks.

Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, a sign that layoffs are dropping and companies may be stepping up hiring.