Summary
Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, with layoffs in the U.S. remaining low. The Labor Department reported a drop in claims to 198,000, which was less than expected.
Key Facts
- Unemployment benefit claims in the U.S. dropped by 9,000 to 198,000 last week.
- Analysts had expected 215,000 claims, but the actual number was lower.
- This data is viewed as a measure of layoffs and the job market's health.
- Despite low layoffs, hiring remained slow in December.
- Job seekers faced a challenging year with weak employment growth.
- The information comes from a report by the U.S. Labor Department.
