Shocking job numbers raise hopes for quicker recovery

A shockingly positive May jobs report has raised hopes of a faster recovery from the coronavirus-induced recession.

Economists had expected the unemployment rate to rise from a post-World War II record of 14.7 percent in April to Great Depression-era levels of 20 percent or higher. Instead, the economy added 2.5 million jobs and the unemployment rate dropped to 13.3 percent.

“It indicates the recession is over and the recovery has begun,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics.

President Trump, who has built his case for reelection around the...