Overview
- Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose by 6,000 to 214,000 for the week ended April 18, slightly above the 210,000 economists expected.
- Continuing claims, which count people receiving benefits after the first week, increased by 12,000 to 1.821 million for the week ended April 11.
- The latest levels remain historically low, pointing to few layoffs even as hiring has cooled compared with recent years.
- Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S.-Israel war with Iran have pushed up oil and other commodity prices, adding pressure on inflation.
- The claims week lines up with the April jobs survey window, offering an early read on stable conditions as policymakers hold off on near‑term rate cuts due to higher prices.