US jobless claims rise moderately, labor market remains stable

209,000 Americans filed jobless claims last week, up from a revised 200,000 the prior week. The four-week average held steady at 199,000.

• 209,000 claims beat forecasters' estimate of 205,000.
• 1.78 million people were collecting ongoing benefits, down 22,000.
• 61,000 jobs per month added so far in 2025, up from 9,700 last year.
• Last month employers cut a net 23,000 jobs instead of adding them.

Why it matters: Claims have held in a historically low 200,000–230,000 range for a year, suggesting strong job security for employed workers. But the picture is weaker for job seekers: hiring in 2025 remains well below the 166,000 monthly average of 2023–2024.

• Companies reluctant to lay off staff — scarred by post-pandemic shortages — are equally reluctant to hire new workers.

How 3 sources split on this story

What’s next: Carl Weinberg of High Frequency Economics says the labor market has not yet shown strain from the oil price surge tied to the war with Iran.

• High interest rates and trade policy uncertainty have weighed on hiring through 2025.
• Will sustained high oil prices eventually translate into layoffs or a hiring freeze?
• Can monthly job creation recover toward recent norms while trade and energy uncertainty persists?