US Jobless Claims Fall, Signaling Layoffs Remain Low
Initial applications for unemployment benefits in the US fell last week, indicating layoffs remain low. Initial claims fell by 9,000 to 202,000 for the week ending March 28, lower than the Bloomberg median economist estimate of 212,000.
Meanwhile, continuing claims—which reflect the number of people receiving benefits—rose to 1.84 million in the week ending March 21. This combination of data reinforces the picture of a labor market in a “low hiring, low firing” phase: companies tend to retain workers, even as the pace of hiring slows.
Correspondingly, separate data showed hiring in February weakened to its lowest level in nearly six years. The Challenger, Gray & Christmas report also noted 217,362 layoff announcements in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest for the same period since 2022, confirming that workforce adjustments remain limited. (gn)
Source: Newsmaker.id
