Source: MarketWatch
“The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week inched up to 232,000, but it was another low reading that signals few people are being laid off even as jobs become harder to find. New claims rose by 4,000 in the seven days that ended Aug. 17, up from 228,000 in the prior week, the government said Thursday. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast new claims to total 230,000, based on seasonally adjusted figures. … The weakening labor market, along with slowing inflation, has positioned the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates at its next meeting in mid-September.” (08/22/24)