Unemployment Benefits and Job Market

SOURCE www.breitbart.com
The number of people applying for unemployment benefits increased to 229,000, higher than expected. Jobless claims can be volatile week to week, but the four-week average fell. Continuing claims rose slightly. Employers added 175,000 workers in April, the lowest level of job growth since October. Unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9 percent.

Key Points

  • Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose to 229,000.
  • Continuing claims increased slightly.
  • Employers added 175,000 workers in April, the lowest level of job growth since October.
  • Unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent.

Pros

  • Jobless claims have stayed at a historically low level this year.
  • Employers continue to hold on to workers despite signs of a slowdown.

Cons

  • Increase in the number of people applying for unemployment benefits.
  • Job growth in April was the lowest since October.