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US Jobless Claims Dip Despite Tariff Concerns

U.S. initial jobless claims declined last week, signaling continued labor market resilience even as new tariffs and economic uncertainty weigh on the outlook. According to the Department of Labor, claims for the week ending April 12 fell to 215,000 from 224,000 the prior week, below economists’ expectations of 225,000.

The drop in new claims suggests that businesses are holding off on large-scale layoffs, despite growing concerns over trade-related disruptions. The data marks a continuation of the recent trend, with jobless claims hovering within a historically tight range for much of the past year.

In contrast, the number of continuing claims—seen as a gauge of ongoing unemployment—rose to 1.89 million for the week ending April 5, up from 1.84 million. This figure reflects individuals who are still collecting unemployment benefits, and it typically lags the initial claims data by a week.

The overall labor market remains steady, even as job creation has moderated in recent months. Economists caution, however, that sustained trade tensions and the broader impact of tariffs could weigh on business investment and hiring decisions going forward.

With inflationary pressures, high interest rates, and geopolitical headwinds in play, labor data will remain a critical indicator for policymakers assessing the durability of U.S. economic growth.

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