21.   Applications for home mortgages are on the rise, and jobless claims fell this week for the third consecutive week, suggesting labor markets may be stabilizing.

22.   Another report showed that the number of new filings for jobless claims rose slightly last week.

23.   Auto sales are down, manufacturing is weak, jobless claims are up.

24.   At the same time, the latest jobless claims statistics reinforce other reports showing companies continue adding jobs at a brisk rate.

25.   Before then, market watchers will look to reports today on factory orders and weekly jobless claims for more clues about the strength of the U.S. economy.

26.   Besides the CPI, the Labor Department is scheduled to release weekly jobless claims.

27.   Bonds also rose after a government report on first-time jobless claims bolstered expectations for a weak labor market.

28.   Bonds declined again today after the government reported fewer first-time jobless claims than expected.

29.   Bonds were little changed after the release of government reports on jobless claims for last week and factory orders in November and December.

30.   Bonds fell after the release of government reports on jobless claims for last week and factory orders in November and December.