U.S. jobless claims jumped by 44,000 to 236,000 for the week ending December 6, surpassing analyst predictions of 213,000 and marking a sharp increase from the prior week’s 192,000. However, continuing claims reached their lowest level since mid-April at 1.84 million, having declined by 99,000 for the week ending November 29.
The U.S. Labor Department reported the data, which reflects national trends in employment and layoffs. According to the department’s definition, applications for unemployment aid are viewed as a proxy for layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.
The four-week moving average of new claims edged up slightly to 216,750. The latest figures paint a mixed picture: some industries appear to be cutting jobs while others are retaining workers or rehiring them. The data underscore ongoing fluctuations in the U.S. job market, highlighting the need for policymakers to monitor employment indicators closely. Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for a third time, tacitly acknowledging the Trump administration’s longstanding position that excessive borrowing costs for businesses and consumers have held down hiring.
