WASHINGTON—The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased to an 11-month high last week, suggesting some softening in the labor market, though claims tend to be volatile around this time of the year.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 249,000 for the week ended July 27, the highest level since August last year, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 236,000 claims for the latest week.
Claims have been on an upward trend since June, with part of the rise blamed on volatility related to temporary motor vehicle plant shutdowns for retooling and disruptions caused by Hurricane Beryl in Texas.
Though applications broke above the upper end of their 194,000–245,000 range for this year, layoffs remain generally low. Government data on Tuesday showed the layoffs rate in June was the lowest in more than two years. The slowdown in the labor market is being driven by low hiring as the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 dampen demand.
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US Weekly Jobless Claims Rise to 11-month High
- by: Reuters
- 2024-08-01
- Source:
The Epoch Times
- 08/01/2024
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