Weekly Jobless Claims , Higher Than Expected at 744,000.<br />The Labor Department reported an unexpected <br />rise in unemployment claims on April 8, <br />despite signs of healing in the jobs market.<br />This week’s claims are higher than <br />the Dow Jones prediction of 694,000 <br />and up from last week’s 728,000.<br />The unemployment rate fell to <br />6% in March, though it remains <br />above the pre-pandemic low of 3.5%.<br />Federal Reserve Governor <br />Lael Brainard said that though <br />the economic outlook has <br />“brightened considerably,”.<br />“we’ve got some distance <br />to go before the outcomes <br />[of full employment and <br />inclusive gains] are achieved.”
