2026.01.2913:37:45UTC+00US Initial Jobless Claims Hold at Tame Level

In the most recent update, initial jobless claims in the US decreased slightly by 1,000 to reach 209,000. This figure comes from the previous week's upwardly revised number, and it is above the market's expectation of 205,000. Meanwhile, continuing claims dropped by 38,000, settling at 1,827,000 for the prior week. This is significantly below the anticipated 1,860,000, marking the lowest level of ongoing unemployment since September 2024. This trend underscores a labor market characterized by minimal firing and hiring, which has been stabilizing since the notable easing in the fourth quarter of 2025. This development aligns with Federal Reserve Chair Powell's outlook of decreased labor demand and supply following the Fed's recent decision to maintain interest rates. Additionally, initial unemployment claims from federal employees, closely watched due to the US government shutdown, have decreased by 212, reaching a total of 798.