Initial claims for US unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, dropping to their lowest level in more than two years in a sign that layoffs remain muted even as hiring slows across the economy. The Labour Department said on Thursday that claims fell by 27,

The Dow, S&P and NASDAQ finished the week on a winning streak with modest gains, based on Fed cut confidence. The S&P, which flirted with a record high, edged up 13.28 to 6,870.40, the Dow was up 104.05 to 47,954.99 and NASDAQ was up 72.992 points to 23,578.128.

The latest report from the US Labor Department highlighted that initial jobless claims reached 232,000 for the week ending October 18.

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose to the highest level in three months as the fast-spreading omicron variant disrupted the job market. Jobless claims rose for the third straight week — by 55,000 to 286,000, highest since mid ...

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits eased slightly last week, Haver Analytics estimated on Thursday, pointing to stable labor market conditions that could provide the Federal Reserve cover to keep interest rates unchanged next month.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other major stock indexes rose modestly in premarket trading Thursday, as Wall Street awaited weekly jobless claims. Among the losers, artificial intelligence stock Snowflake SNOW plunged on the stock market today after the company's earnings results.

Treasury yields rose, reversing Wednesday’s falls but remaining in their recent range. Weekly jobless claims data are due.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 27,000 to a seasonally adjusted 191,000 for the week ended November 29, the lowest level since September 2022. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 220,