Claims hover near years highs, suggesting little improvement in jobs market.

Claims hover near years highs, suggesting little improvement in jobs market.

Sales excluding autos down 0.4%, weakest reading in two years.

For third year in a row, the economy is expected to swoon, but avoid recession.

Increase reported by ADP is smaller than expected; follows 113,000 gain in April.

Increase reported by ADP is smaller than expected; follows 113,000 gain in April.

Jobs gain smaller than expected, but jobless rate declines to 8.1%.

365,000 reading in latest week is lowest in a month.