US filings for jobless benefits hits 211,000 as the war in Iran drags on, clouding economic forecast
Claims rose above forecasts as war-driven energy costs lifted inflation and added uncertainty for employers, analysts said.
- On Thursday, the Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits rose by 12,000 to 211,000 for the week ending May 9, slightly exceeding the 207,000 forecast by FactSet.
- The ongoing war in Iran, which has closed the Strait of Hormuz, continues to inject uncertainty into the broader economy; oil prices have spiked more than 50% since late February, pushing gas to $4.53.
- Consumer-Level inflation rose 3.8% from April 2025, the biggest jump in three years, while the Labor Department's producer price index shot up 1.4% from March to April, keeping inflation above the Federal Reserve's 2% goal.
- Despite a 4.3% unemployment rate, the labor market remains stuck in a "low-hire, low-fire" state; Federal Reserve policymakers recently left benchmark rates unchanged but indicated willingness to consider hikes this year.
- High-Profile companies including Verizon, UPS, Amazon, Disney, and Walmart have cut jobs recently, following a hiring slowdown linked to President Donald Trump's 2025 tariff rollouts and workforce purges.
42 Articles
42 Articles
Roundup: BRCC’s big send-off / US jobless claims / AI for small business
1,200 graduates: Baton Rouge Community College will celebrate more than 1,200 graduates next week, including a record-breaking class of roughly 200 dual enrollment students earning both high school diplomas and associate degrees. ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Complex leader Regina Davis will deliver the commencement address, highlighting the college’s growing workforce ties with industry and its expanding role in accelerating career readiness. Initial …
Jobless Claims Rise After Sliding to 57-Year Low
Initial jobless claims edged higher for the second straight week after last month reaching their lowest level since 1969. The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits rose by 12,000 to 211,000 for the week ending May 9, according to the Department of Labor. Last week’s reading was revised slightly lower to 199,000. This came in above economists’ expectations of 205,000. The four-week average, which strips out week-to-wee…
US Filings for Jobless Benefits Hits 211,000 as War in Iran Drags On, Clouding Economic Forecast
The number of Americans filing for jobless aid rose last week but remains historically low despite the economic uncertainty caused by the war in Iran. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits for the week ending May 9 rose by 12,000 to 211,000...
The Independent
The Independent (US)American applications for jobless benefits rise this week
The unemployment rate remains at a low 4.3%, but many are left struggling to secure new employment
(New York = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Yeon-sook = The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the number of new unemployment benefit claims for the week of May 3–9 was 211,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week...
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