10 Share This Story!Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Good hiring sign: Jobless claims slip to 339,000New numbers are evidence that layoffs are low and hiring will likely remain steady. Post to FacebookPosted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Sent!A link has been sent to your friend's email address.Sign in now to share your story.Sign in with FacebookSign in with Google+Be first to contributeAdd Videos or PhotosBe first to contribute Verifying your credentials... Please wait. Uh oh! We're experiencing a few technical issues. Try again Christopher S. Rugaber, AP 9:44 a.m. EST January 2, 2014 A job fair for veterans hosted by the Chicago Sky WNBA basketball team on Sept. 6 in Rosemont, Ill.(Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images)Story HighlightsBut less volatile four-week average rose 8,500 to 357,250But . . . that average was driven up by seasonal volatilityJobless rate fell to a five-year low of 7% in NovemberWASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dipped 2,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 339,000, evidence that layoffs are low and hiring will likely remain steady.The Labor Department says the less volatile four-week average rose 8,500 to 357,250. The average was driven up in recent weeks by spikes that reflected seasonal volatility around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The government struggles to account for seasonal hiring by retailers and other businesses and for temporary layoffs of school employees during the holidays.STOCKS THURSDAY: How markets are doing[1]Applications are a proxy for layoffs. They appear to have stabilized near the pre-recession levels reached in the late summer and are at a level consistent with solid hiring.The unemployment rate fell to a five-year low of 7% in November.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Looking…

1 Share This Story!Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Tips on having a pain-free gift return experienceIt's inevitable, not everyone is going to like that perfect holiday gift you picked out for them, and vice versa. An estimated 15% of all holiday sales come back as returns or exchanges. In this week's Money Post to FacebookPosted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Sent!A link has been sent to your friend's email address.Sign in now to share your story.Sign in with FacebookSign in with Google+Be first to contributeAdd Videos or PhotosBe first to contribute Verifying your credentials... Please wait. Uh oh! We're experiencing a few technical issues. Try againUSA TODAY contributor Regina Lewis explains five key moves to help ensure a smooth transaction at the return desk. USA TODAY Regina Lewis, Special for USA TODAY 9:24 a.m. EST December 28, 2013 An estimated 15% of all holiday sales come back as returns or exchanges(Photo: Steve Kohls, AP)It's inevitable, not everyone is going to like that perfect holiday gift you picked out for them, and vice versa. But when it comes to accepting returns, some stores are feeling a little less generous these days and are identifying chronic or "serial returners."Retailers say stingier polices are intended to combat return fraud, which according to the National Retail Federation will cost retailers $8.8 billion in 2013.In this week's Money Quick Tips video, USA TODAY contributor Regina Lewis looks at some key moves to help ensure a smooth transaction at the returns desk.MONEY QUICK TIPS: Get some of your holiday shopping money back[1]Regina Lewis is a national television contributor and host of USA TODAY's "Money Quick Tips" videos. Follow her on Twitter: @ReginaLewis.Looking for a Job?Looking for a job? Start here USA NOW Tips to make your…

1 Share This Story!Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Joseph A. Bank rejects Men's Warehouse bidClothier Joseph A. Bank has rejected the Nov. 26 acquisition bid by rival Men's Warehouse. Post to FacebookPosted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Sent!A link has been sent to your friend's email address.Sign in now to share your story.Sign in with FacebookSign in with Google+Be first to contributeAdd Videos or PhotosBe first to contribute Verifying your credentials... Please wait. Uh oh! We're experiencing a few technical issues. Try again Men's Wearhouse had offered to acquire Joseph A. Bank for the equivalent of roughly $1.2 billion.(Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)Story HighlightsRejection marks new chapter in suit warsJoseph A. Bank previously tried to acquire Men's WearhouseCompany says it continues to review acquisition opportunitiesClothing firm Joseph A. Bank has rejected a $1.54 billion acquisition bid by rival Men's Warehouse, marking a new chapter in the Wall Street suit wars.The Hampstead, Md.-based firm announced Monday that its board of directors had unanimously turned down the Nov. 26 takeover bid after concluding that the offer "significantly undervalued the company."Men's Wearhouse had offered to acquire Joseph A. Bank for $55 per share in cash, a bid that represented an implied value of roughly $1.2 billion for the takeover target. Men's Wearhouse said at the time its bid was 32% over the closing share price of Joseph A. Bank on Oct. 8 — the day before the firm proposed its own takeover of Men's Wearhouse."Our board undertook a thorough review and determined that the per share consideration in the proposal made to us by Men's Warehouse was simply not in the best interest of our shareholders," Robert Wildrick, chairman of Joseph A. Bank, said in a statement[1] announcing the decision. He added that…