The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week rose more than expected, amid increased layoffs due to economic uncertainty, fueled by President Donald Trump’s strict trade policies.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 14,000, from the previous week’s figure that was revised down by 1,000 to 240,000, for the week ended May 24, the US Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists had expected applications to increase by 3,000.
Weekly US Jobless Claims
Item
Last Year
Last Week
Current Week
Change
Initial Claims (‘000)
221
226
240
+14
Four-Week Average (‘000)
222
231
230.75
(2500)
Total Beneficiaries (mln)
1.798
1.893
1.919
+0.026
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week rose more than expected, amid increased layoffs due to economic uncertainty, fueled by President Donald Trump’s strict trade policies.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 14,000, from the previous week’s figure that was revised down by 1,000 to 240,000, for the week ended May 24, the US Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists had expected applications to increase by 3,000.
Weekly US Jobless Claims
Item
Last Year
Last Week
Current Week
Change
Initial Claims (‘000)
221
226
240
+14
Four-Week Average (‘000)
222
231
230.75
(2500)
Total Beneficiaries (mln)
1.798
1.893
1.919
+0.026
