|
Jobless claim applications climbed by 17,000 to 242,000 for the
week of Dec. 7, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s
significantly more than the 220,000 analysts were forecasting
and yet another data point that reflects a cooling labor market.
This week’s report also showed that continuing claims, the total
number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, rose by 15,000
to 1.89 million for the week of Nov. 30.
The four-week average of weekly claims, which softens some of
the week-to-week volatility, rose by nearly 6,000 to 224,250.
Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy
for U.S. layoffs.
While the job markets has shown some cracks recently, it remains
broadly healthy and has held up better than many experts
predicted considering that interest rates have been elevated in
recent years. The Federal Reserve instituted a flurry of rate
increases in 2022 and into 2023 to try to suppress the
four-decade high inflation that took hold when the U.S. economy
rebounded from the brief but sharp pandemic recession.
The Fed has cut its benchmark rate at its last two meetings in
response to receding inflation, which has fallen close to the
U.S. central bank’s 2% target from highs above 9%. The Fed is
expected by most to issue another rate cut at its final 2024
meeting next week.
Last week, the government reported that U.S. job openings
rebounded to 7.7 million in October from a 3 1/2 year low of 7.4
million in September, a sign that businesses are still seeking
workers even though hiring has cooled.
In November, U.S. employers added a strong 227,000 jobs,
following a paltry 36,000 in October, when the effects of
strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’
payrolls. The government also revised up its estimate of job
growth in September and October by a combined 56,000.
All contents © copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved
|
|
