NEW YORK - U.S. equity markets pushed upward Thursday as investors digested record jobless claims and waited for the House to vote on a $2 trillion relief package.
First-time unemployment filings surged to a record 3.28 million last week, according to the Labor Department, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused businesses to temporarily close their doors and lay off employees.
The previous record was 695,000, set in 1982. RELATED: CoronavirusNOW.com, FOX launches national hub for COVID-19 news and updates The all-time high in claims came hours after the Senate voted 96-0, passing the $2 trillion relief package that would extend aid to individuals, small businesses and corporations hit hardest by the pandemic.