The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, dropping by 15,000 to 227,000, according to the Labor Department's latest stats.
Despite this, the number of people collecting jobless benefits reached its highest level in nearly three years, pointing to a potential softening of the U.S. labor market.
The October 19 report revealed initial claims came in lower than the 241,000 predicted by analysts. Continuing claims, which reflect individuals receiving benefits beyond their first week, increased by 28,000 to 1.9 million for the week ending October 12.
This marked the highest level since November 2021.
Increases in this area suggest that some workers are finding it harder to secure new employment, even though the broader economy remains strong.
Indicators of Labor Market Softening
"The labor market is softening but not imploding," said Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, in a note to clients.
Analysts suggest that though increases in continuing claims reflect a slowing economy, there is no sign of widespread layoffs.
The recent rise in continuing claims may point to a cooling demand for workers.
Despite this, employers added 254,000 jobs in September, a figure that exceeded expectations. Earlier in August, the Labor Department revised its job creation figures, revealing that 818,000 fewer jobs were created between April 2023 and March 2024 than previously reported.
This revision served as another signal that the labor market has been cooling after several years of post-pandemic rapid growth.
Numerous Data Distortions
The four-week moving average of initial jobless claims, which helps smooth out weekly fluctuations, rose slightly by 2,000 to 238,500, according to the Labor Department.
This gradual increase has not caused concern among economists.
Weinberg and other economists propose that recent market disruptions have skewed the job data.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton temporarily increased applications for unemployment benefits as businesses were disrupted along the South.
Additionally, labor strikes, such as the ongoing Boeing manufacturers strike, have seen about 33,000 workers on pause since mid-September.
Next Steps for Lowering Inflation
Earlier this month, the government reported that U.S. inflation reached its lowest point since February 2021.
In response to weakening employment data and a drop in consumer prices, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point in September.
As inflation falls closer to the Fed's two percent target, Chair Jerome Powell recently declared it "largely under control."
Looking ahead, experts predict the Federal Reserve may implement another rate cut of 25 basis points in November.
It was the Fed's first rate cut in four years following a series of rate increases that had pushed the federal funds rate to 5.3 percent, the highest level in two decades. The central bank's aim is to balance inflation control with supporting the labor market.
On an international scale, the chief economist for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) told reporters on earlier this week that "the battle against inflation is almost won," following years of turbulence.
Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said that inflation in many countries is edging closer to central bank targets and cooling faster in advanced economies.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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