WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week, another sign that the job market remains resilient in the face of high interest rates.
In the week that ended Aug. 3, 1.86 million Americans were collecting jobless benefits, down by 7,000 from the week before. The Federal Reserve, fighting inflation that hit a four-decade just over two years ago, raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times in 2022 and 2023, taking it to a 23-year high. Inflation has come down steadily — from 9.1% in June 2022 to a three-year low of 2.9% last month. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy and hiring kept cruising along, defying widespread fears that the United States would sink into recession.
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