U.S. Jobless Claims Slip to 197,000, Holding Near 57-Year Lows
The U.S. Labor Department reported on Oct. 8 that initial jobless claims for the week ending Oct. 3 came in at 197,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis, down 2,000 from the prior week's revised 199,000. Claims have now hovered near 57-year lows for four straight weeks, though 197,000 is not itself a record; July saw a lower 189,000. Initial claims are among the most timely gauges of the labor market: persistently low readings mean employers remain reluctant to lay off workers, with no clear cooling in hiring. They also shape expectations for the Federal Reserve's rate path — a steady job market lowers the urgency to ease. For Chinese-American households, a solid jobs picture underpins mortgage, spending and immigration planning. Markets next look to the monthly payrolls report later this month to confirm the trend.
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor)
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: US Department of Labor, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
