00:00It's Benzinga, bringing Wall Street to Main Street.
00:02U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell to $194,000 last week,
00:07the lowest level in three months, from $200,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported.
00:13According to PBS News, the four-week average declined to $197,000 after $750,000.
00:19Weekly claims have remained below $230,000 throughout the year, indicating layoffs remain low.
00:24Employers have held on to workers even as higher energy prices pressure businesses and consumers.
00:28Hiring has remained sluggish, creating a low-hire, low-fire job market.
00:34The unemployment rate rose to 4.2% last month.
00:38Employers have added an average of 68,000 jobs monthly this year,
00:42up from 9,700 in 2025, but below the 166,000 monthly average recorded in 2023 and 2024.
00:49For all things money, visit Benzinga.com.
