U.S. Unemployment Claims Rise Slightly, Continuing Claims Hit 3-Year High

Labor market shows resilience despite modest increase in jobless claims and challenges for displaced workers finding new employment.

Initial unemployment claims rose by 6,000 to 223,000 for the week ending January 18, slightly above economists' expectations of 220,000.
Continuing claims, a measure of Americans receiving unemployment benefits after an initial week, increased by 46,000 to 1.9 million, the highest level since November 2021.
Analysts suggest the elevated continuing claims reflect challenges for displaced workers in securing new jobs, even as layoffs remain historically low.
Recent weather events, including wildfires in California and severe snowstorms in the South, may have contributed to the increase in claims and could impact future data.
The labor market remains robust, with December showing a gain of 256,000 jobs and a 4.1% unemployment rate, but hiring has slowed compared to previous years.