Unemployment rates fell last month in more than three-quarters of the nation's states, adding to evidence that companies are feeling more confident in the U.S. economy.
Companies created 268,000 jobs in April, the most since February 2006. The gains were widespread. Retailers, factories, financial companies, education and health care and even construction companies all added jobs.
More people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the first increase in three weeks. Still, the broader trend points to a slowly healing jobs market.