Access Restricted for EU Residents
You are attempting to access a website operated by an entity not regulated in the EU. Products and services on this website do not comply with EU laws or ESMA investor-protection standards.
As an EU resident, you cannot proceed to the offshore website.
Please continue on the EU-regulated website to ensure full regulatory protection.
Friday Dec 5 2025 00:00
2 min
In the week ended November 29 (including Thanksgiving), initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased by 27,000 to 191,000. It's worth noting that weekly claims data can be particularly volatile around holidays. The figure was below market expectations of 220,000.
The four-week moving average for claims, which smooths out volatility, fell to 214,750 last week, according to Labor Department data released on Thursday. That was the lowest level since January.
Even though many employers have sharply scaled back hiring in recent months and some large companies, including HP and FedEx, have announced layoffs, Thursday’s data suggests that actual layoffs remain limited, helping to ease concerns about a rapidly deteriorating labor market.
While continuing claims, a measure of the number of people receiving benefits, edged back to 1.94 million in the week ended November 22, they remained near their highest level since 2021. This ‘low hiring, low firing’ job market is holding down initial claims, but it's also limiting the ability of unemployed Americans to find new jobs.
U.S. companies cut the most jobs in November in more than two years, mostly driven by small establishments, according to data released Wednesday by the ADP Research Institute. That report, along with the weekly claims data, will feed into the Federal Reserve officials when they decide next week whether to cut interest rates for a third consecutive time.
A separate set of data released Thursday showed that U.S. companies announced fewer layoffs in November after surging the prior month, but still the highest for any November in three years.
Fed policymakers won’t have the November nonfarm payrolls report when they meet next week. Originally scheduled to be released on December 5, the report was delayed until December 16 because of a record government shutdown, and will be released with October’s employment data. Revelio Labs data suggests US nonfarm payrolls fell by 9000 in November, with October’s data revised from a 9100 decline to a 15,500 decline.
Initial claims also fell last week before seasonal adjustments. California accounted for almost half of the total drop in claims, followed by Texas and New York.
Risk Warning: This article represents only the author’s views and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, investment research, or a recommendation to trade, nor does it represent the stance of the Markets.com platform. When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange), and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leveraged products can result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Before trading, ensure you fully understand the risks involved and consider your investment objectives and level of experience. Trading cryptocurrency CFDs and spread bets is restricted for all UK retail clients.
Latest
View all
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
3 min
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
7 min
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
6 min
Friday, 8 May 2026
Indices
India's Tech Boom: India’s Offshore Tech Hubs Near 2030 Milestone in FY26
Friday, 8 May 2026
Indices
Gold Price Today, May 09: Gold (XAUUSD) at $4,720 Faces Correction Risk After 250% Rally as Oil Leads Markets
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Indices
Tata Gold ETF Rides XAUUSD Breakout as Middle East Developments Shake Markets
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Indices
Gold Price Today, May 08: XAUUSD Surge to $4,753 on Easing Oil and Inflation Signals
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Indices
Crypto Market News Today: Dogecoin DOGEUSD Surges Past $0.115 as Meme Coin Momentum Builds in 2026
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Indices
Gold Price Today, May 07: XAU/USD Soars 2.73% to Record $4,685 Amid Market Rally
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Indices
Forex Market Today: USD/JPY Surges Above 150 as Dollar Strength Returns Amid Fed Rate Outlook
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Indices
Q1 2026 Earnings to Watch Today: Coca-Cola (KO) Set to Report Before Market Open
EN
