According to the Labor Department, the number of claims for unemployment benefits increased slightly last week, while the four-week average fell to its lowest number in five years. While layoffs have decreased over the last few months, there has been little uptick in the number of people being hired. Experts say that the numbers show a slightly stronger economy, but that businesses and workers are still cautious.
See "Claims for Jobless Benefits Inch Higher", Reuters, The New York Times, March 20, 2013