US Jobless Claims Drop Again Despite Layoffs/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ US jobless claims fell to 233,000 last week, signaling ongoing labor market strength despite corporate layoffs and trade uncertainty under President Trump. June’s jobs report showed a stronger-than-expected 147,000 job gain, with unemployment dipping to 4.1%. Major companies like Microsoft and Google, however, continue announcing significant workforce cuts.
Quick Look
- Jobless claims fell by 4,000 to 233,000.
- Unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% in June.
- Employers added 147,000 jobs last month.
- Microsoft announced 9,000 layoffs this week.
- Google offers buyouts amid regulatory pressures.
- Major layoffs from firms like Meta, CNN, P&G.
- Four-week claims average dropped to 241,500.
- Total unemployment beneficiaries hold steady at 1.97 million.
US Jobless Claims Fall to 233,000 Amid Steady Labor Market
Deep Look
Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, signaling continued strength in the US job market even as economic uncertainty swirls around President Donald Trump’s trade and tariff policies.
The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims dropped by 4,000 to 233,000 for the week ending June 28, beating analyst expectations of 241,000. Jobless claims are widely viewed as a proxy for the number of layoffs across the country.
In a separate report also released Thursday, the Labor Department said US employers added 147,000 jobs in June, surpassing forecasts and further underscoring the labor market’s resilience. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1% from 4.2% in May, defying projections of a slight increase.
Despite layoffs remaining low by historical standards, several major corporations have announced significant cuts this year. Procter & Gamble, Workday, Dow, CNN, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, and Meta (Facebook’s parent company) have all trimmed staff.
On Wednesday, Microsoft revealed plans to lay off approximately 9,000 workers — its second large round of job cuts in recent months and the company’s biggest layoff in over two years.
Meanwhile, Google confirmed it had offered buyouts to additional employees as part of broader cost-cutting measures, amid looming regulatory challenges that could force the tech giant to split up parts of its business.
The four-week moving average for new jobless claims, which smooths out weekly volatility, declined by 3,750 to 241,500. The total number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits for the week ending June 21 held steady at 1.97 million.
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