Outlook better, but jobless rate drop unlikely
Despite an upsurge in hiring during the holiday season, the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 5.9 percent. A growth in consumer spending and demand has led to greater hiring by businesses, but the job market is still lagging in other areas. Most of the hiring gains for December were made in the service sector, particularly retail.
See "Outlook better, but jobless rate drop unlikely", Chicago Tribune, January 7, 2004