Unexpected drop in new jobless claims, upbeat retail sales reports push stocks higher

NEW YORK — Stocks are higher following upbeat readings on the job market and sales at major retailers.

Unexpected drop in new jobless claims, upbeat retail sales reports send stock futures higher

NEW YORK — Wall Street bounded toward a higher open Thursday as investors got pleasant surprises from the job market and major retailers.

New jobless claims plunge unexpectedly to 610,000, while retail sales improve in April

WASHINGTON — New applications for jobless benefits plunged to the lowest level in 14 weeks, a possible sign that the massive wave of layoffs has peaked. Still, the number of unemployed workers getting benefits climbed to a new record.

Euro-zone retail sales slide by record 4.2 percent in March as recession deepens

BRUSSELS — Retail trade in the 16 nations that use the euro slid by a record 4.2 percent in March from a year ago, the EU statistics agency said Wednesday, as recession-hit shoppers cut back over worries on rising unemployment.

Calendar of major business events scheduled for Tuesday

Major business events and economic events scheduled for Tuesday:

Business events and economic reports scheduled for the coming week

MONDAY, Oct. 12

Columbus Day. Bond markets closed.