The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits slipped last week as the U.S. labor market remained resilient, according to the Associated Press.
The Labor Department reported today that jobless claims fell by 5,000 to 238,000 from a 10-month high of 243,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which evens out weekly ups and downs, rose by 5,500 to 232,750, highest since September.
Weekly unemployment claims — a proxy for layoffs — remain at low levels by historical standards, a sign that most Americans enjoy unusual job security. Still, after mostly staying below 220,000 this year, weekly claims have moved up recently.
Nearly 1.83 million people were collecting unemployment benefits the week of June 8, up by 15,000 from the week before and the seventh straight weekly uptick.
