Buenos Aires stocks were higher today, as the Merval benchmark index climbed 0.3 percent to 2,442.52 points.
Spain's unemployment rate hit a record high in the third quarter, with one in four out of work and more expected to lose their jobs in 2013 as the next phase of government cutbacks kicks in.
US employers kept their pace of hiring steady in December, falling short of the levels needed to bring down a still lofty unemployment rate and pointing to lackluster economic growth in 2013.
Joblessness in the euro zone rose to a new record high in May, pushed up by lay-offs in France, Spain and even stable Austria, as the 2-1/2 year debt crisis continued to eat away at the currency bloc's fragile economy.
The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week, suggesting the labor market is healing too slowly to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate.
The Labor Department said today the unemployment rate, a key focus in the race for the White House, dropped by 0.3 percentage point to its lowest point since January 2009.
US employers cut back on hiring in April and the jobless rate fell as people gave up the hunt for work, according to the Labor Department. Employers added just 115,000 workers to their payrolls last month.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits in the US held steady at a seasonally adjusted 370,000, the Labor Department said.
Euro zone unemployment has hit a record high, and job losses are likely to keep climbing as the bloc's devastating debt crisis eats away at businesses' ability to hire workers while indebted governments continue to cut staff.
Euro zone unemployment has risen to its highest level since before the euro was introduced, data showed today, a day after EU leaders promised to focus on creating millions of new jobs to try to kickstart Europe's floundering economy.
The US economy created jobs at the fastest pace in nine months in January and the unemployment rate dropped to a near three-year low of 8.3 percent, indicating last quarter's growth carried into early 2012.
New claims for unemployment benefits rose last week in the US to their highest level since January, a development that could raise fears the labor market recovery was stalling after job creation slowed in March.
US employment rose less than expected in October, but a drop in the jobless rate to a six-month low of 9.0 percent and upward revisions to prior months' job gains pointed to underlying strength in the labor market.
New US claims for jobless benefits hit a seven-month low last week, while permits for future home construction rebounded strongly last month, bolstering views the economy was gaining traction.
The US unemployment rate fell to a 2-1/2 year low of 8.6 percent in November and companies stepped up hiring, further evidence the economic recovery was gaining momentum.
New US claims for unemployment benefits dropped to a four-month low last week, government data showed today, a rare dose of good news for an economy that has been battered by a credit rating downgrade and falling share prices.
The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits rose unexpectedly last week in a sign concerns about a weak economy were sapping an already beleaguered labor market, data showed.
Employment grew more than expected in September and job gains for the prior months were revised higher, according to a government report that could ease fears the economy was heading into recession.
President Barack Obama, speaking after the release of a gloomy US jobs report for June, cited the debt limit dispute, along with the crisis in Greece, as among factors making companies more hesitant to hire and invest.
The number of US citizens claiming new unemployment benefits last week dropped below the 400,000 level for the first time since early April, a hopeful sign for the economy which has struggled to regain momentum.
US job growth accelerated more than expected in July as private employers stepped up hiring, a development that could ease fears the economy was sliding into a fresh recession.
US employment rose far less than expected in May to record its weakest reading since September, while the jobless rate rose to 9.1 percent as high energy prices and the effects of Japan's earthquake bogged down the economy.
The White House said the US unemployment rate was unacceptably high while trying to put a brave face on a report that showed employers hired far fewer workers than expected in May.
US employment growth ground to a halt in June, with employers hiring the fewest number of workers in nine months, dousing hopes the economy would regain momentum in the second half of the year.
US employment rose by a meager 36,000 jobs in January, far less than expected, as severe snow storms slammed large parts of the nation, but the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since April 2009.
New US claims for unemployment benefits dropped to a 2-1/2 year-year low last week, offering assurance that the labor market was strengthening despite January's poor jobs numbers.
US employment recorded a second straight month of solid gains in March and the jobless rate fell to a two-year low of 8.8 percent, marking a decisive shift in the labor market that should help to underpin the economic recovery.
Mexico's jobless rate rose in August, breaking a five-month streak of declines and adding to expectations of a deceleration in Latin America's second-largest economy in the second half of 2012.