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US jobless claims tick up to 200,000 but remain low by historic standards
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • general
Key Points:
- Jobless claims in the U.S. increased slightly to 200,000 last week from 191,000 the previous week, exceeding economist expectations of 195,000, but remain at historically low levels.
- The four-week average of claims held steady at 195,250, indicating stable labor market conditions despite the small uptick in applications.
- Layoffs continue to be rare, with claims staying at or below 200,000 for nine consecutive weeks, reflecting strong job security for most workers.
- Employers have been adding an average of 86,000 jobs per month in 2026, a notable improvement from the sluggish job growth in 2025, which was impacted by high interest rates and trade policy uncertainty.
- Economic growth is supported by resilient consumer spending and increased investment in artificial intelligence, contributing to the positive labor market trends.
