US New Unemployment Claims at 212,000... Slightly Below Expectations

Continued Unemployment Benefit Claims Show Slight Increase

Last week, the number of new unemployment benefit claims in the United States remained the same as the previous week.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor on the 18th (local time), the number of new unemployment benefit claims for the week of April 7?13 was recorded at 212,000. This figure was below the expert forecast of 215,000 and was the same as the previous week's 212,000 claims.

The number of new unemployment benefit claims, which reflects corporate layoff trends, has been hovering around 200,000 since mid-September last year. Compared to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic, this remains a record low level. The Department of Labor assessed that this suggests companies are still reluctant to lay off employees.

The number of continuing unemployment benefit claims, which counts those applying for benefits for at least two weeks, was recorded at 1,812,000 for the week of March 31 to April 6. This was an increase of 2,000 from the previous week, indicating a decrease in the number of unemployed individuals finding new jobs.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) is monitoring related indicators closely, as it views an overheated labor market as a potential driver of inflation.