Summary
Unemployment benefit applications in the U.S. rose to 236,000 last week, suggesting potential concerns about the labor market. The Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates, hinting that the job market may be weaker than it seems, with sluggish job growth and an increase in the unemployment rate to 4.4%.
Key Facts
- 236,000 Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week.
- This is a jump from the previous week’s 192,000 applications.
- Analysts expected 213,000 new applications, but the number was higher.
- The Federal Reserve cut interest rates, indicating job market worries.
- Job growth has slowed, with only 40,000 jobs added monthly since April.
- Sometimes jobs added are revised lower, which could indicate job losses.
- The unemployment rate increased to 4.4%.
- Ongoing jobless claims dropped to 1.84 million, the lowest since April.
