A Labor Department report issued Thursday Oct. 8 shows initial claims for unemployment fell 33,000 from the prior week’s revised total to 521,000, the lowest level since the beginning of 2009. This figure was 19k less than the Thomson Reuters survey, giving some cause for hope amid a generally depressed economic outlook.

With the four-week average down to 539,750, there is strong evidence of a recovery in the labor market to many investors. The second lowest point this year being reached, on the graph of this closely watched statistic, indicates too many economists that the propensity for hiring by companies is up and that layoffs are less likely. Nevertheless the unemployment figures are still well-above the accepted 325,000 for initial claims, which signifies a robust economy.

The outstanding number of claimants also fell 1.8%, defying analysts’ expectations of a growing pool of recipients. For the week ending Sept. 19, the total

DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

Tuesday August 25, 2009

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At a ribbon cutting ceremony today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) and leaders of Iowa’s business and governmental communities announced that the new IBM technology services delivery center — located in the historic Roshek Building in downtown Dubuque, Iowa — is now operational. IBM has hired several hundred people to work in the new facility and intends to employ up to 1,300 by the end of 2010.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Space Systems Company has established a new Missile Defense Systems operating unit based in Huntsville, Ala. Retired Army Major General John W. Holly will lead the new operating unit as the vice president for Missile