The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, pointing to a stable labour market at the start of the year though some laid-off workers are experiencing difficulties finding new jobs. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 201,000 for the week ended Jan. 4, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 218,000 claims for the latest week.
The report was published a day early as federal government offices are closed on Thursday in honour of former President Jimmy Carter who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Though claims tend to be volatile at the turn of the year, they have bounced around levels associated with low layoffs that are underpinning the labour market and broader economy. Labor market stability was underscored by government data on Tuesday showing an increase in job openings in November, with 1.13 vacancies for every unemployed person, up from 1.12 in October. The state of the jobs market is seen allowing the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged in January against the backdrop of uncertainty over the impact of proposed policies from President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Trump has pledged to cut taxes, impose or massively raise tariffs on imports and deport millions of undocumented immigrants, plans which economists warned would stoke inflation. The U.S. central bank lowered its benchmark overnight interest rate by 25 basis points to the 4.25 per cent-4.50 per cent range at its December policy meeting. The Fed, however, projected only two rate cuts this year compared to the four it had forecast in September, when it kicked off its policy easing cycle.While layoffs have remained low by historical standards, hiring has slowed, leaving some laid-off people to experience long spells of unemploymen
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US Unemployment Claims Fall Sharply, Job Market Remains StrongThe number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits decreased significantly last week, indicating a resilient job market.
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