Jobless claims fall to lowest level since start of pandemic and retail sales rise in positive signs for economy (NPR)

US jobless claims last week fell to 576,000, their lowest since the start of the pandemic and retail sales rose 9.8% in March — signs an economic boom is emerging, NPR reported. “At long last the economic recovery appears to be picking up speed,” said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate, according to NPR. “Some employers are responding by boosting wages and even throwing in hiring bonuses. The job market should only tighten further in the months ahead, raising the prospect of further pay gains, particularly for entry level positions.”