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Claims for unemployment benefits drop to 196,000, lowest since mid-July
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • general
Key Points:
- Jobless claims in the U.S. dropped to 196,000 last week, the lowest since mid-July and below economists' expectations, indicating continued job market strength.
- The four-week average of claims decreased to 203,250, remaining within a historically low range of 200,000 to 230,000 weekly claims over the past year.
- Despite higher gasoline prices and geopolitical tensions, layoffs remain rare as businesses are cautious about losing staff due to past labor shortages.
- Employers have been adding an average of 80,000 jobs per month in 2025, showing improvement from a weak 2025 but still below job creation levels seen in 2023, 2024, and the post-pandemic hiring boom.
