Mixed Signals
The U.S. labor market grew by more than half a million jobs to 142.6 million in April, according to the Department of Labor. But at the same time, unemployment claims rose to 6.0 percent from 5.7 percent. U.S. factory orders increased in March by 0.4 percent, but orders for machinery fell by 1.2 percent, according to the Department of Commerce. The findings led to further speculation that the economy is not as strong as previously thought.
