(RTTNews) - In another potential sign of improvement in the beleaguered labor market, the Labor Department released a report Thursday morning showing that first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell by much more than expected in the week ended September 4th.

The report showed that initial jobless claims fell to 451,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 478,000. Economists had been expecting jobless claims to edge down to 470,000 from the 472,000 originally reported for the previous week.

(RTTNews) - Employment in the month of August fell by much less than economists had been expecting, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Friday, with the report also showing a much smaller than previously reported drop in employment in July.

The report showed that non-farm payroll employment fell by 54,000 jobs in August, matching the revised decrease in jobs seen in July. Economists had expected employment to fall by about 120,000 jobs compared to the loss of 131,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month.

While government employment showed a notable decrease due to the elimination of 114,00 temporary census jobs, private sector employment increased for the eight consecutive month, rising by 67,000 jobs.

(RTTNews) - Employment in the month of August fell by much less than economists had been expecting, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Friday, with the report also showing a much smaller than previously reported drop in employment in July.

The report showed that non-farm payroll employment fell by 54,000 jobs in August, matching the revised decrease in jobs seen in July. Economists had expected employment to fall by about 120,000 jobs compared to the loss of 131,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month.

(RTTNews) -  After reporting two consecutive monthly decreases in orders for manufactured goods, the Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing a modest increase in orders in July, although the increase fell short of economist estimates.

The report showed that orders for manufactured goods edged up by 0.1 percent in July following a revised 0.6 percent decrease in June. Factory orders had been expected to increase by 0.3 percent compared to the 1.2 percent drop that had been reported for the previous month.

The modest increase in factory orders in July was largely due to a 12.9 percent increase in orders for transportation equipment, which reflected a substantial 75.9 percent increase in orders for commercial aircraft and parts.