Business Highlights

___ Unemployment hits 49-year low as US employers step up hiring WASHINGTON (AP) — The April U.S. jobs report from the Labor Department showed that solid economic growth is still encouraging strong hiring nearly a decade into the recovery from the Great Recession.

Fiat Chrysler expects improvements after weak first quarter

Carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Friday reported a 47% drop in profits for the first quarter of the year due largely to changes in production, but expressed confidence that new models will help the U.S.-Italian company meet full-year profit targets.

Volkswagen earnings upbeat despite diesel scandal charges

German automaker Volkswagen saw operating profit slip in the first quarter as the company set aside 1 billion euros for legal issues but reaffirmed its profit goals for the year and saw better profits at its core brand.