Josh Boak Posts

Employers posted 4.67 million jobs in June, up 2.1 percent from May's total of 4.58 million, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. The number of advertised openings was the highest since February 2001, a positive sign that points to a strengthening economy. The report "provides further confirmation that the U.S. labor market has indeed shifted to a period of stronger growth," said Jeremy Schwartz, an analyst at the bank Credit Suisse.

More people applied for unemployment benefits last week, but the overall job numbers are looking good, with the unemployment rate falling to 6.1% – the lowest since September 2008.

More than two-thirds of the states reported job gains in March, as hiring has improved for much of the country during what has been a sluggish but sustained 4 1/2-year recovery. The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment rates dropped in 21 states, rose in 17 and were unchanged in the remaining 12. Meanwhile, hiring increased in 34 states and fell in 16.

A new study finds that the typical 401(k) fees - adding up to a modest-sounding 1 percent a year - would erase $70,000 from an average worker's account over a four-decade career compared with lower-cost options. To compensate for the higher fees, someone would have to work an extra three years before retiring.

Though slow, economic indicators including job growth are trending upwards. Fewer are applying for unemployment benefits, and employers have been adding on average 200,000 jobs a month.

U.S. workers boosted their productivity from July through September at the fastest pace since the end of 2009, adding to signs of stronger economic growth. Higher productivity enables companies to pay employees more without sparking inflation. But greater productivity can also slow hiring if it shows companies don't need more workers to boost output.