ZCZC
BCN-26
US-UNEMPLOYMENT-LABOR
U.S. jobless claims edge up last week
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – The U.S. initial jobless claims
increased last week, and the labor market remained tight, according to a
report released by the U.S. Labor Department on Thursday.
In the week that ended on Oct. 20, people filing for U.S. unemployment
benefits increased by 5,000 to 215,000, said the Labor Department.
The four-week average of initial claims remained at 211,750 last week,
which was unchanged from the previous week’s unrevised figure, said the
department.
Although initial jobless claims edged up, they remained far below the
300,000 threshold, which is associated with a strong labor market.
The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) also reported that the labor market
remained tight across the United States in its newly released periodic
economic conditions report.
“Employment expanded modestly or moderately across most of the nation,”
said the Fed, adding that employers throughout the country continued to
report tight labor markets and difficulties finding qualified workers.
BSS/XINHUA/HR/1220