Overview
- Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell to a seasonally adjusted 226,000 for the week ended June 13, showing layoffs remain low.
- Nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, continuing a run of stronger job gains after weakness in 2025.
- The number of people receiving continued benefits climbed to 1.81 million, and the median unemployment duration increased to 11.6 weeks, signaling longer spells out of work for many jobseekers.
- The Federal Reserve left its policy rate at 3.50%–3.75% and released projections that show policymakers expect to raise rates later this year because of persistent inflation risks.
- Seasonal summer filings by school staff and wider policy uncertainty are making the weekly claims harder to interpret and could limit hiring for some employers.