Lydia DePillis

Conventional employment opportunities abound, but online platforms still have appeal — for flexibility or additional income.

The increase of 528,000 outstripped expectations, and the gains were spread widely across industries. The jobless rate fell to 3.5 percent.

Inventories were a big drag on the G.D.P. number. Construction of homes and nonresidential structures declined. And federal spending fell.

Americans spent only a little more in the second quarter overall, as a decrease in purchases of stuff was offset by experiences.

Inventories were a big drag on the G.D.P. number. Construction of homes and nonresidential structures declined. And federal spending fell.

It has been a tough few years for companies without the scale to cruise through disruption. Making money isn’t getting any easier.

The strong Labor Department report comes as consumers and businesses express increasing concern about a downturn.

Brands and retailers are shifting away from the clipped newspaper discounts, and the digital version hasn’t grown fast enough to catch up.

Economists and politicians are debating whether monopolistic companies are fueling inflation in ways that confound longstanding theory.

Layoffs are up only minimally, and employers may be averse to shedding workers after experiencing the challenges of rehiring.