New applications for U.S. unemployment benefits fell unexpectedly last week to the lowest level since mid-February, signaling the job market remains tight even as broader economic headwinds build.
Initial jobless claims declined by 13,000 to 216,000 in the week ended September 2, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That was below economist forecasts for a rise to 234,000 and marked the fourth straight week of declines.
Continuing claims, which track ongoing unemployment, also dropped to 1.679 million for the week ended August 26. That was the lowest point since mid-July.
The downward trend in both initial and continuing claims points to ongoing resilience in the labor market amid strong employer demand for workers.
There are some emerging signs of softness, however. The unemployment rate ticked higher to 3.8% in August as labor force participation increased. Job growth also moderated in the latest month, though remains healthy.
Worker productivity rebounded at a 3.5% annualized pace in the second quarter, the fastest rise since 2020. Moderating labor cost growth could also help the Federal Reserve combat high inflation.
While jobless claims remain near historic lows, economists will keep a close eye on any notable changes that could indicate potential layoffs, although the Federal Reserve has recently taken a more measured approach to rate hikes aimed at moderating economic demand.
Currently, the most recent data confirms a remarkably robust job market, despite concerns about inflation and slowing growth. This resilience provides hope that any potential economic downturn in the future might be less severe than previously anticipated.