Initial jobless claims in the United States dropped by 2,000 to 220,000 in the first week of March, marking a three-week low and coming in below market expectations of a rise to 225,000.
US unemployment claims unexpectedly fall
This keeps claims at historically low levels as the month begins. Similarly, continuing claims declined by 27,000 to 1,870,000 in the last week of February, falling short of the anticipated 1,900,000 mark. These figures indicate that the U.S. labor market remains relatively tight despite the extended monetary tightening cycle.
Further data
Meanwhile, unemployment claims filed under federal government programs—closely watched due to layoffs at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—fell by 54 to 1,580, though they remain above historical averages.
