U.S. weekly jobless claims fall; spending on equipment strong

People line up outside a newly reopened career center for in-person appointments in Louisville, U.S., April 15, 2021. REUTERS/Amira Karaoud

  • Weekly jobless claims fall 7,000 to 411,000
  • Core capital goods orders dip 0.1% in May; shipments up
  • Goods trade deficit rises 2.8%; retail inventories fall
  • First-quarter GDP growth unrevised at 6.4% rate

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) – Fewer Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week as the labor market steadily recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic amid a reopening economy, but a dearth of willing workers could hinder faster job growth in the near term.

The economy appears to be at cruising speed more than half way through the second quarter, with other data on Thursday showing strong growth in business spending on equipment in May. While the goods trade deficit widened last month, that was because of an increase in imports as businesses desperately try to keep up with robust demand. Warehouses at…

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