US Jobless Claims Fall to 197,000 for Fourth Week Below 200,000 as Hiring Stays Tepid
Updated
Updated · KSL.com · Oct 8
US Jobless Claims Fall to 197,000 for Fourth Week Below 200,000 as Hiring Stays Tepid
3 articles · Updated · KSL.com · Oct 8
Summary
Initial US jobless claims fell 2,000 to 197,000 in the week ended Oct. 3, beating forecasts of 200,000 and staying near 57-year lows for a fourth straight week.
That resilience reflects historically low layoffs and a "low-hire, low-fire" market, with employers holding onto workers but hesitating to expand payrolls amid tariff uncertainty and the US-Israeli war with Iran.
September payrolls rose just 29,000, while continued claims increased 17,000 to 1.72 million, suggesting people who lose jobs are taking longer to find new work.
Fed minutes said labor conditions remained stable and near maximum employment; after last month's 25-basis-point hike to 3.75%-4.00%, markets see another increase as more likely in December than this month.