The number of Americans who requested unemployment help registered its highest peak in three months, although the figures remain within the rank recorded in the last three years.
Applications for unemployment aid in the United States reached last week their maximum level in three months, although the indices remained within the same healthy range of the last three years.
The number of Americans who requested unemployment help increased by 22,000, reaching 242,000 in the week ending on February 22, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The analysts project that 220,000 new applications would be presented.
Weekly applications for unemployment help are considered an indicator of layoffs. The average four weeks, which softens part of weekly volatility, increased by 8,500, reaching 224,000. Analysts expect the dismissals after the expenses of expenses proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge, in English) to appear in the report in the coming weeks or months.
Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist of the RSM tax firm and advice, said he does not expect a “burst” of layoffs and unemployment. At least, not yet.
“For now, it is more likely that a constant dripping in the rhythm of layoffs will occur,” said Brusuelas.
High -ranking US officials launched on Wednesday a Reduction of government personnel Through a memorandum that expands the efforts of the administration of President Donald Trump to reduce the workforce.
Despite showing some signs of weakening during the last year, the US labor market is still healthy, with abundant jobs and relatively few dismissals.
Earlier this month, the Labor Department reported that US employers added 143,000 jobs in January, a significantly lower figure than the 256,000 jobs generated in December. However, the unemployment rate fell to 4 %, indicating good health health.
In general, although the number of layoffs remains low compared to historical standards, some high -profile companies have already announced job cuts this year, including Workday, Dow, CNN, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines and Meta, the Facebook parent company.
The total number of Americans received by unemployment insurance for the week of February 15 fell by 5,000, reaching 1.86 million.