The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in more than three years last week, still showing no signs of a deterioration in labor market conditions.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 27,000 to a seasonally adjusted 191,000 for the week ended November 29, the lowest level since September 2022, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 220,000 claims for the latest week.
That’s interesting. It doesn’t square with the sense that the job market is brutal right now.
I wonder if the dip is from people dropping out of the workforce.
Today's Highlights
📰 Story 1 — Putin’s Visit & India’s Market Jinx
History shows Indian markets drop every time Vladimir Putin visits:
Now, ahead of his 7th visit on Dec 4–5, 2025, markets are already sliding.
📰 Story 2 — US Jobless Claims Hit 3‑Year Low
US unemployment claims fell to 191,000 during Thanksgiving week — lowest since 2020. Despite high‑profile layoffs at HP and FedEx, employers aren’t cutting jobs aggressively. The “low‑hire, low‑fire” trend keeps initial claims near record lows, but continuing claims have risen to 1.94M, showing it’s harder for job seekers to find new work.