Scott Horsley

U.S. employers added 266,000 jobs last month, far fewer than analysts had expected. The unemployment rate rose to 6.1%.

U.S. employers added just 266,000 jobs last month — far below analysts' projections of nearly1 million — and the unemployment rate ticked up to 6.1%.

Newly vaccinated Americans are spending more freely on restaurants, travel and live entertainment. That should give a boost to pandemic-scarred service industries.

Newly vaccinated Americans are eating out, getting haircuts, going to sporting events and traveling again — giving a lift to businesses that have been largely shuttered for over a year.

Personal income jumped by a record 21% last month, largely thanks to those $1,400 relief payments. The extra cash helped fuel a jump in spending that should continue in the months to come.

The U.S. economy grew rapidly in 2021's first months with the distribution of vaccines and relief payments. Biden said in his speech he aims to build on that success, turning "peril into possibility."

The U.S. economy grew at a rapid pace in the first three months of the year as more people got vaccinated and the federal government pumped hundreds of billions of dollars into people's pockets.

The Paycheck Protection Program, which provided emergency loans to small businesses amid the pandemic, will wind down soon. Economists are divided on whether it saved enough jobs to justify its cost.

China, Europe, and the United States have had mixed success in controlling the pandemic, and it's shaping the economic recovery on three continents.

There was lots of good news on the economic front this week. Consumers are spending more money and fewer people are getting laid off.

Retail sales soared in March, as vaccinations and $1,400 relief payments boosted shoppers' outlook. New state unemployment claims also fell to their lowest level since the pandemic took hold.

Retail sales jumped nearly 10% in March, as shoppers, flush with $1,400 relief payments, are feeling more confident about venturing out. Weekly unemployment claims dropped to a pandemic low.

Consumer prices saw their sharpest increase in more than eight years last month, as businesses struggled to keep pace with booming demand.

Consumer prices jumped last month as businesses struggled to keep pace with booming demand, but the Biden administration and the Federal Reserve say the uptick in inflation is likely to be temporary.

The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. economy will grow at its fastest pace in decades this year, lifting the outlook for worldwide economic growth.

The Treasury secretary is adding her support to a widely discussed proposal as part of the Biden administration's tougher approach to corporate taxes.

U.S. employers added 916,000 jobs in March and the unemployment rate dropped to 6%. President Biden welcomed the Labor Department's strong report, but cautioned the pandemic recession is not over yet.

Hiring by U.S. employers accelerated sharply amid an improving public health outlook and a new round of $1,400 relief payments.

President Biden proposed a $2 trillion investment in the nation's neglected infrastructure. Most of the bill would fall on corporations, but it is already facing pushback from the business community.

Unpaid electric bills ballooned during the pandemic to more than $27 billion, and many now face the risk of having their power shut off.