WASHINGTON — American consumers faced a third straight monthly surge in prices in June, the latest evidence that a rapid reopening of the economy is fueling pent-up spending for goods and services that in many cases remain in short supply.

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dropped in the week ended June 19, a sign that layoffs declined and the job market is improving.

WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added 559,000 jobs in May, an improvement from April’s sluggish gain but still evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers as the economy rapidly recovers from the pandemic recession.

America’s employers unleashed a burst of hiring in March, adding 916,000 jobs in a sign that a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession is taking hold as vaccinations accelerate, stimulus checks flow through the economy and businesses increasingly reopen.

WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign that the economy is improving.

WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added a robust 379,000 jobs last month, the most since October and a sign that the economy is strengthening as confirmed viral cases drop, consumers spend more and states and cities ease business restrictions.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell underscored the U.S. economy’s ongoing weakness Feb. 23 in remarks that suggested that the Fed sees no need to alter its ultra-low interest rate policies anytime soon.

WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added just 49,000 jobs in January, a sign that the viral pandemic retains a tight grip on the economy nearly a year after it triggered a painful recession.

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits declined to 779,000 in the week ended Jan. 30, a still historically high total that shows that a sizable number of people keep losing jobs to the pandemic.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve’s policymakers face an unusual conundrum as they meet this week: a short-term economic outlook that is worsening even while the longer-term picture is brightening thanks to the emergence of coronavirus vaccines