A new report from the Labor Department says that the number of claims for unemployment benefits fell to an almost five-year low last week. Claims dropped by 16,000, a sign that companies may be increasing hiring. Claims are at their lowest level since March. Analysts say that the numbers may indicate that slow job growth in March was due more to seasonal factors than to economic ones.
See "Jobless Claims Fall Near a Five-Year Low", Josh Mitchell and Sarah Portlock, The Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2013