US jobless claims fall to lowest level since July
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 13:27 · Archive
US unemployment claims fell to 194,000 last week, the lowest since mid-July, as layoffs remain low.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment claims dipped to 194,000 last week, according to the Labor Department, marking the lowest level since mid-July. This represented a decline from a revised 195,000 the previous week. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, fell to 196,750. Applications for jobless benefits serve as a proxy for layoffs and provide economists with signals about where the job market is heading.
Claims have remained at historically low levels throughout the year, never topping 230,000 in a single week and staying at or below 200,000 for seven straight weeks. So far this year, employers have added an average of 68,000 jobs a month, though last month saw a weaker 29,000 jobs added. This represents an improvement from 2025, when monthly job creation averaged just 9,700.
The Labor Department will release October hiring figures on Friday, 6 November, which are expected to show the economy added 55,000 jobs that month, according to forecasts by FactSet. Consumer spending has remained resilient and investment in artificial intelligence has supported economic growth.
How it is being reported
- US unemployment claims slide to 194,000, the lowest since mid-JulyThe number of Americans applying for unemployment claims dipped last week to 194,000 — lowest since mid-July — as layoffs remain low and most Americans enjoy job security.News4Jax · 29 Oct, 12:34
- US unemployment claims slide to 194,000, the lowest since mid-JulyThe number of Americans applying for unemployment claims dipped last week to 194,000 — lowest since mid-July — as layoffs remain low and most Americans enjoy job security.Clickorlando · 29 Oct, 12:34
In this story: United States · Labor Department · FactSet · Donald Trump
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