Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Reports: US Job Market Improves, Inflation Rises Slightly by VOA News Economic reports published Thursday show the U.S. job market getting stronger, inflation rising slightly, and the strong dollar hurting American exports. The Labor Department says the number of people signing up for unemployment compensation last week dropped to nearly the lowest level in 15 years. The data show 12,000 fewer Americans asked for aid, putting the nationwide total at 267,000. The low level of layoffs suggests that employers are confident the economy will rebound from the slump it hit in the first few months of this year, and rising demand for products will justify keeping the employees who make or sell them. A separate report on inflation shows prices rose four-tenths of a percent in May as gasoline costs began to rise after months of low prices. Outside the volatile areas of food and energy, prices rose 1.7 percent, a little below the U.S. central bank's target inflation rate. Another government report showed U.S. exports declined in the first few months of this year. Experts say the strong dollar means U.S.-made goods are more expensive for foreign customers and that crimps sales. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-economy-unemployment-inflation/282 7539.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-economy-unemployment-inflation/2827539.html