The Journal’s update on the economy

This morning’s Wall Street Journal Online news roundup opens as follows: “The number of U.S. workers filing first-time applications for unemployment benefits plummeted to a 34-month low last week, surprising Wall Street. Simultaneously, a third-quarter productivity report showed U.S. workers boosted their productivity at the fastest rate in 18 months.
“Thursday morning’s one-two punch of fewer jobless claims and higher output levels — particularly since the productivity report showed the first increase in workers’ hours in more than three years — indicates the fastest economic growth in two decades won’t be slowing down soon.”