Claims for jobless aid reach highest level since early 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since February 2015, more sobering news for the labor market after a disappointing April jobs report.
The economy has been weighed down by weakness overseas and a strong dollar that hurts exporters by making American products more expensive in foreign markets.
Since the Great Recession ended seven years ago, growth has usually been weak in the first quarter, only to pick up in the April-June quarter.