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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Paul Wiseman

Unemployment claims tick up to 206,000 but remain at historically low levels

US Economy Jobs Report - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

More Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs are still rare and jobless claims remain at historically low levels.

The Labor Department reported Thursday filings for benefits ticked up to 206,000 last week from a revised 204,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, rose modestly to 207,250 last week.

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