JOBS

The dollar steadied on Friday after steep losses the previous day on growing concerns about the U.S. economy, with key U.S. non-farm payrolls data looming. The greenback hit its lowest this year against the yen below 87 yen on Thursday as market players covered short cross yen positions.

Gold bounced from a 5-week low on Friday as weaker prices ignited buying by bargain hunters and jewelers, but investors were cautious ahead of the release of a U.S. employment report. Investors shrugged off a small drop in ETF holdings, turning their attention to the June non-farm payrolls data which will set the tone for currencies and equities. Gold tumbled nearly 4 percent on Thursday as funds sold bullion to cover losses in other markets.

The dollar was on the back foot against the euro and slipped against the Aussie on Friday after a big euro short squeeze ahead of U.S. jobs data, while the yen lost ground all round as the squeeze spilled into Asian trade.

U.S. jobless numbers likely fell in June for the first time this year, a Reuters poll showed. The key monthly unemployment report will be released on Friday.

Gold slipped lower in Europe on Wednesday, caught up in selling of stocks and other commodities after a report showed U.S. private sector employers added fewer jobs than expected in June. The precious metal is still set to be the best-performing metal of the second quarter, however, as fears over the global growth outlook and the stability of the banking system fuel haven demand for the metal.

U.S. private employers added a paltry 13,000 jobs in June, compared to a revised gain of 57,000 in May, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Wednesday.

Consumer confidence fell steeply in June after rising for three months, due to worries about the labor market because of a recent slowdown in jobs growth, according to a private sector report released on Tuesday.

Stock investors will anxiously await the crucial June jobs data this week for clues on how the U.S. economy may weather recent storms that drove Wall Street's major indexes down for the year.

Stock investors will anxiously await the crucial June jobs data next week for clues on how the U.S. economy may weather recent storms that drove Wall Street's major indexes down for the year.

Eric Heinbockel recalls going on a Wall Street interview the day investment bank Bear Stearns collapsed. With his chances of landing a coveted finance job dwindling, the former Columbia University undergraduate began exploring more entrepreneurial options, eventually launching a business that lets customers build their own chocolate bars.

Hershey Co plans to cut 500 to 600 jobs, or up to 5 percent of its workforce, as part of a restructuring aimed at upgrading and enlarging its facilities to compete globally and save some $60 million to $80 milllion in annual costs.

The U.S. labor market will hold the key to a recovery in the hard-hit housing sector, according to a Harvard University report released on Monday.

A draft labor reform package due to be approved by Spain's government on Wednesday will help generate jobs and boost confidence in a struggling economy, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said on Saturday.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday the U.S. economic recovery was on a solid footing but cautioned it could be years before the jobs lost during the deep recession of 2008-2009 are restored.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday the U.S. economic recovery was on a solid footing but cautioned it could be years before the jobs lost during the deep recession of 2008-2009 are restored.

Stocks fell on Monday, taking the S&P 500 to its lowest close in seven months, as industrials and technology shares fell and investors stayed on their heels after last week's payrolls figure discouraged buyers.

Stocks fell on Monday, led by industrials and technology as investors stayed on their heels after last week's payrolls figure discouraged buyers.

Stocks fell on Monday, led by industrials and technology as investors stayed on their heels after last week's payrolls figure discouraged buyers.

Apple Inc is widely expected to introduce its latest iPhone on Monday, as the company hopes to expand its lead in the increasingly competitive smartphone market.

A gauge of the job market rose in May for the ninth straight month, indicating that a disappointing May jobs report released by the government last week may be a one-off, a research group said on Monday.

U.S. stocks could face more pressure this week unless investors get some relief from worries about Europe, jobs and the toll they might take on the economic recovery.