The number of initial jobless claims in the United States for the week ending February 7 was 227,000, compared to an expected 222,000. The previous figure was revised from 231,000 to 232,000.
According to Zhitong Finance, the number of initial jobless claims in the United States for the week ending February 7 was 227,000, higher than the expected 222,000. The previous figure was revised from 231,000 to 232,000. Additionally, the number of continuing jobless claims for the week ending January 31 was 1,862,000, higher than the expected 1,850,000. The previous figure was revised from 1,844,000 to 1,841,000.
Weekly unemployment benefit applications often fluctuate around holidays and adverse weather conditions as people may be temporarily unable to work. Lower application figures indicate that businesses and schools have largely resumed normal operations after last week’s nationwide winter storm.
Following a surge in unemployment benefit applications due to severe winter weather in the prior period, the number of applications in the United States slightly declined last week. The four-week moving average of initial jobless claims for the week ending February 7 was 219,500, while the previous figure was revised from 212,250 to 212,500.
Data released on Thursday also indicated that despite announcements of layoffs by major companies such as Amazon (AMZN.US) and United Parcel Service (FDX.US), there has not been a significant increase in recent layoffs. The lower number of unemployment benefit applications, along with other data, suggests that these planned layoffs have not yet translated into widespread staff reductions.
There are additional signs that the labor market is stabilizing after a year of sluggish hiring activity. The latest employment report released by the government showed that the increase in nonfarm payrolls in the United States in January reached its highest level in over a year, while the unemployment rate also declined.
The seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment in the United States increased by 130,000 in January, marking the largest rise since April 2025, surpassing expectations of 70,000. The previous figure was revised from 50,000 to 48,000. The November nonfarm payroll addition was revised down from 56,000 to 41,000, while the December figure was adjusted from 50,000 to 48,000. After revisions, the combined total of new jobs created in November and December was 17,000 fewer than the previously reported figures.
U.S. Treasury yields declined following the release of the initial jobless claims data; the yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell 2.1 basis points to 4.162%.
Editor/Stephen
