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US Unemployment Claims Hit Lowest Level Since Mid-July Amidst Strong Job Market
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News18•01-10-2026, 18:45
US Unemployment Claims Hit Lowest Level Since Mid-July Amidst Strong Job Market
- •The number of people applying for US unemployment benefits dropped to 197,000 last week, the lowest since mid-July.
- •Layoffs remain low as businesses are reluctant to let go of staff, remembering past labor shortages.
- •The four-week average of claims, which smooths out volatility, decreased to 200,000.
- •The American job market has remained sturdy despite higher energy prices and global conflicts.
- •Employers have been adding an average of 80,000 jobs a month this year, with 162,000 added in August.
Key Questions Answered
Initial US unemployment claims dipped to 197,000 last week, down from a revised 198,000 the previous week and marking the lowest level since mid-July.
Employers have added an average of 80,000 jobs per month so far this year, which includes a surprising 162,000 jobs added in August.
The upcoming September jobs report is expected to show that employers added 90,000 jobs and that the unemployment rate remained low at 4.1 per cent.
