Better. The job market beat expectations, and the stock market managed a modest gain — not great, but good enough after a turbulent week.

Hiring picked up slightly in July, and the unemployment rate dipped to 9.1 percent. The modest improvement could ease fears of another recession, but it wasn't enough to prevent another wild day of trading on Wall Street.

A stronger jobs report wasn't enough to calm financial markets or stem concerns that the debt crisis in Europe could threaten the fragile U.S. economy.

President Barack Obama proposed tax credits for businesses and other initiatives on Friday to help some of America's 1 million military veterans find work. He also vowed to press Congress to get busy on legislation to provide more near-term jobs in general when lawmakers return from their recess in September.