empty
30.03.2023 11:19 PM
US jobless claims are on the rise

Jobless claims among Americans rose for the first time in three weeks. This shows some weakening of the still robust labor market, where employers are hesitant to lay people off.

US jobless claims rise

Jobless claims for the week ended March 25 totaled 198,000, up 7,000 from the previous period and a bit higher than the 195,000 estimate, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Thus, the overall layoff rate appears to be increasing.

The four-week moving average of weekly claims, which smooths volatility in the numbers, rose slightly to 198,250, the highest level in two months. On an unadjusted basis, claims rose nearly 11,000, to 223,913.

Continuing claims, which run a week behind and is also a good indicator of how difficult it is for people to find work after losing their job, edged up to 1.689 million for the week ended March 18.

Note that despite the increase, the labor market is holding very firm after the Federal Reserve's annual interest rate hike. Unemployment is historically low, so that for every American who wants one job, there are almost two job openings. At the same time, job creation has remained steady.

Still, there will come a point when jobless claims begin to mirror the layoff announcements that have swept the technology, banking and other sectors. It remains to be seen how the banking crisis might affect the number of jobless claims, but the economy is likely to show some signs of strain in the coming weeks and months, followed by a decline in labor demand.

The data precede next week's jobs report, which is expected to show another strong month of hiring in March.

A separate report released Thursday showed that U.S. corporate profits fell in the fourth quarter to the highest in two years, while gross domestic income showed the biggest drop since the pandemic began. Sooner or later this will undoubtedly weaken the labor market. However, this is unlikely to allow the Fed to breathe a sigh of relief, as reason does not favor officials.

Egor Danilov,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Stock market rollercoaster: AMD soars, American Eagle falls, investors are confused

Indices mixed: Dow down 0.21%, S&P 500 up 0.10%, Nasdaq up 0.72% European stocks fall after four sessions of gains American Eagle Outfitters falls after withdrawing fiscal year guidance

Thomas Frank 12:59 2025-05-15 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 15

Shares of JPMorgan Chase continue to climb steadily towards the 295.25 level, supported by strong investor demand and solid financial results from the bank. This positive momentum stems from broader

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:35 2025-05-15 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 14

IBM stock continues to climb, supported by technical chart signals pointing to a potential move towards the $265.90 level. Investors are showing interest in the company's stock, backed by strong

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:40 2025-05-14 UTC+2

Europe in the green, Fed under pressure: traders believe in rate cuts

Pause in US-China tariffs lifts sentiment, but concerns remain European stocks rose for the fourth straight session, and global stocks also rose Traders are betting on a Fed rate

Thomas Frank 11:07 2025-05-14 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 13

Citigroup shares are posting steady gains after breaking above key technical levels, signaling potential for continued upside. Market participants view the bank's stock as promising amid signs of stabilization

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:38 2025-05-13 UTC+2

NRG Energy soars after $12 billion deal — new players in energy?

Indices rise: Dow 2.81%, S&P 500 3.26%, Nasdaq 4.35% Stocks outperform safe havens on trade easing Apple rises on report of considering iPhone price hike Wall Street fear gauge dips

Thomas Frank 12:11 2025-05-13 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 12

US stock indices are advancing on a wave of optimism surrounding potential progress in trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. Investors are hopeful that an eventual agreement could ease geopolitical

Ekaterina Kiseleva 15:25 2025-05-12 UTC+2

Hope for Trade Peace: How US-China Talks Have Rocked European Stock Exchanges

Markets rise: US and China are getting closer in trade talks. UniCredit in the green: profit above expectations, forecast raised. Pharmaceuticals weaken: shares of large companies fell by 1-5%. Futures

Thomas Frank 11:02 2025-05-12 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 8, 2025. US stock indices close higher on trade deal optimism

Major US stock indices ended the session in the green, supported by statements from Donald Trump indicating progress in negotiations over a major trade agreement. The market interpreted this rhetoric

Ekaterina Kiseleva 14:00 2025-05-08 UTC+2

Gold slips, stocks sink: what India, Germany and the Fed have in common

Equities are falling on stalled tariff agreements ahead of the Fed decision. Gold is sliding on renewed US-China talks. UK and India have clinched a major trade pact. Friedrich Merz

12:36 2025-05-07 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.