The number of new applications for unemployment benefits in the United States increased only slightly, indicating that the labor market continues to show relatively stable momentum.
The U.S. Department of Labor announced on the 26th (local time) that new claims for unemployment benefits for last week (February 15-21) came to 212,000. This was an increase of 4,000 from the previous week. However, it was below the expert forecast of 215,000 compiled by Reuters.
The number of people filing for "continuing unemployment benefits," meaning they claimed benefits for two weeks or longer, stood at 1,833,000 for the week of February 8-14. This was a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week. However, the four-week moving average, which smooths volatility to show the trend, was 220,250, up 750 from the previous week.
In the market, there is an assessment that the labor market, which slowed last year as uncertainty expanded due to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and other factors, is gradually regaining stability. However, there is also a cautious view that additional data are needed to determine whether this trend will remain a temporary rebound or develop into a sustained recovery.
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