Overview
- Initial claims fell by 23,000 to 206,000 for the week ended Feb. 14, coming in below the 225,000 consensus estimate.
- The four-week moving average edged down to 219,000, reinforcing a picture of steady layoff activity.
- Continuing claims rose by 17,000 to 1.869 million for the week ended Feb. 7, indicating tougher reemployment conditions as the median jobless spell nears four-year highs.
- Federal Reserve minutes from Jan. 27–28 said most officials see labor conditions stabilizing, while warning that low hiring and concentrated job gains leave the market vulnerable.
- Recent Labor Department revisions cut reported payroll gains for 2024–25, lowering last year’s job growth to about 181,000 from a previously reported 584,000.