US personal incomes jump ahead of New Year tax rise

US personal incomes jumped 2.6% in December, the biggest monthly increase since 2004, as high earners sought to beat a New Year tax rise. The month was marked by accelerated bonus and dividend payments, the US Commerce Department said.

US jobless rate falls to near four-year low

The US unemployment rate fell in November to a nearly four-year low and job growth picked up, showing only modest improvement in the economy, government data released Friday showed.