The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, signalling labour market stability despite sluggish hiring and keeping the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook in focus.
Initial claims declined by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 197,000 in the week ended October 3, below economists’ expectations of 200,000, the US Labor Department said on Thursday. The four-week moving average fell to 198,000, its lowest level since early October 2022.
