US Jobless Claims Dip Slightly but Remain at High Levels

U.S. weekly jobless claims declined, yet remain at elevated levels.

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims fell last week but remained elevated, signaling continued weakness in the labor market heading into June.

Initial jobless claims dropped by 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 245,000 for the week ending June 14, matching economists’ expectations, according to the Labor Department. The data was released a day early due to the Juneteenth holiday.

Claims remain near the higher end of this year’s range and may stay elevated, partly due to non-teaching staff becoming eligible for benefits during summer school breaks in some states.

While some of the increase reflects technical factors, economists also point to a broader rise in layoffs, attributing it in part to economic strain caused by President Trump’s tariffs. The jobless claims data aligns with the survey window for June’s nonfarm payrolls report.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve, concluding its policy meeting on Wednesday, is expected to keep interest rates steady in the 4.25%-4.50% range. Officials remain focused on the economic implications of trade tensions and geopolitical instability, including the Israel-Iran conflict.

Despite the rise in claims, layoffs remain historically low, helping support labor market stability. However, hiring continues to slow, with employers cautious amid economic uncertainty. In May, nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000, down from 193,000 in the same month last year.

Upcoming data on the number of individuals continuing to receive unemployment benefits—often seen as a gauge of hiring—may offer further insight into the labor market’s condition in June.

For the week ending June 7, continuing claims fell by 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 1.945 million. However, recently laid-off workers are finding it increasingly difficult to secure new employment.