From ABC News · ABC News · · 1m 10s
Jobless claims hit lowest point since mid-July
Unemployment benefit applications dropped to 196,000, signaling a resilient job market despite economic headwinds.
In brief
Unemployment benefit applications dropped to 196,000, signaling a resilient job market despite economic headwinds. Layoffs remain rare as businesses hold onto workers, though hiring has slowed compared to pandemic recovery years. Originally reported by ABC News.
Claims drop to 196,000
Jobless benefit applications fell sharply to 196,000 last week, the lowest since mid-July and below economist expectations of 207,500.
“The number of people applying for unemployment benefits dropped sharply last week, another sign that layoffs remain rare and most Americans enjoy job security.”
Layoffs stay historically rare
Claims have remained in a historically low range of 200,000 to 230,000 per week for the past year, indicating employers are keeping workers on staff.
Job market resilient despite headwinds
The American job market has remained sturdy despite higher gasoline prices that have squeezed businesses and consumers since fighting with Iran began February 28.
Hiring slowed but still improving
Employers added an average 80,000 jobs per month so far this year, including 162,000 in August, up from just 9,700 monthly in 2025 when high interest rates and trade policy uncertainty discouraged hiring.
Still below pandemic boom pace
Current monthly job creation of 80,000 lags far behind the 166,000 average in 2023-2024 and the 491,000 monthly surge during the 2021-2022 pandemic recovery.
What it means
Layoffs remain rare as businesses hold onto workers, though hiring has slowed compared to pandemic recovery years.
