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In July 207,000 jobs were created, above expectations, and the unemployment rate held steady at 5.0% Upward revisions for May and June as well.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Look for U.S. stocks to drift higher this week as optimism about the economy and earnings continues. But key data on the employment picture, auto and retail sales could trip up the market's momentum. The week is likely to get off to a slow start as investors return from a long holiday weekend. U.S. stock, bond and oil markets will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday. But activity will likely pick up when a slew of economic data hits traders' screens. Strategists thought the market's mood was improving going into June. "I would...

Isn’t election year politicking fun? It never ceases to amaze experienced observers how things can be so incredibly important during the campaign, and then instantly fade into complete insignificance as soon as the political value of the subject is no longer relevant. One of the prime examples of this is the new-for-the-2004-election statistic “Non-farm payrolls,” otherwise known as the “Jobs Report.” (For the sake of accuracy, this statistic wasn’t new for 2004, but its political importance reached new heights in this past election.) When the U.S. economy absorbed the multiple shocks of the 9/11 attacks (with their resulting negative ripple...

Within days of re-election, President Bush was greeted by a wave of economic news -- including strong job-creation data -- that could strengthen his hand as he prepares ambitious plans to overhaul the tax code and revamp Social Security. Prices on oil futures last week fell below $50 a barrel, a potential source of comfort for consumers and businesses that have been squeezed by the rising cost of energy. Stock prices rallied, a sign that economic uncertainties are easing with the end of the contentious election. Chain stores reported better-than-expected sales for October. The dollar declined, which could bolster exports...

jobs were created in August. The unemployment rate edgged down at 5.4% Upward revisions Details to come...

32,000 jobs were created in July. The unemployment rate down at 5.5% Details to come... ouch

288,000 jobs were created in April. The unemployment rate down at 5.6% Details to come...

308,000 jobs were created in March. The unemployment rate held steady 5.7% HUGE