Oil and natural gas prices rose amid uncertainty; Harvard labor historian Claudia Goldin wins Nobel economics prize; UAW strikes expand to Mack Trucks; world bankers meet to discuss economic resiliency from natural disasters.
The increase was higher than analysts expected; average wages grew at an annual pace of 4.2%; investors bet that strong labor market will lead to another rate increase; gasoline prices are headed lower.
Initial applications for jobless benefits totaled 207,000 last week; U.S. trade deficit shrinks 9.9%; labor talks at standstill between Kaiser Permanente, unions; U.S. regulators probing safety of ARC airbag inflators.
Job openings surged to 9.6 million; Hollywood actors, studios begin negotiating again; Kaiser Permanente workers poised to strike; Birkenstock plans IPO.