Historic low layoffs underpin US labor market; factory gate price pressures rising
Initial applications for state unemployment benefits declined by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 197,000 for the week ending September 26, according to the Labour Department. This drop marks the fourth consecutive weekly decline, pushing jobless claims to their lowest level since mid-July. While low layoffs continue to support the domestic labor market, separate reports indicate that factory gate price pressures are rising and overall hiring plans remain tepid. Following the latest economic data release, U.S. stock markets looked set to rise.
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- ✓ Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 197,000 for the week ended September 26.
- ✓ U.S. jobless claims fell for the fourth straight week.
- ✓ Jobless claims reached their lowest level since mid-July.
What changed
New applications for unemployment benefits dropped for the fourth straight week to reach 197,000.
Live updates
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US Jobless Claims Fall to 197,000
Initial applications for state unemployment benefits declined by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 197,000 for the week ending September 26, according to the Labour Department. This drop marks the fourth consecutive weekly decline, pushing jobless claims to their lowest level since mid-July. While low layoffs continue to support the domestic labor market, separate reports indicate that factory gate price pressures are rising and overall hiring plans remain tepid. Following the latest economic data release, U.S. stock markets looked set to rise.
Why it matters
The steady performance of the labor market remains a focal point for economists and policymakers tracking economic resilience. Senator Rick Scott hailed the jobless claims figures as being near a 57-year low, urging Congress to alter policies impacting small businesses. Despite the strong headline figures on low layoffs, broader economic signals present a mixed picture with rising producer price pressures.
What is confirmed
- Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 197,000 for the week ended September 26.
- U.S. jobless claims fell for the fourth straight week.
- Jobless claims reached their lowest level since mid-July.
Still unconfirmed
- Hiring plans are tepid despite low unemployment claims.
What to watch next
- Subsequent labor department employment reports
- Further indicators on factory gate price pressures
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (13)
- Reuters — Historic low layoffs underpin US labor market; factory gate price pressures rising
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — US unemployment claims dip to 197,000, lowest since mid-July
- Bloomberg.com — US Initial Jobless Claims Slip to 197,000, Lowest Since July
- WSJ — U.S. Jobless Claims Fall for the Fourth Straight Week
- Yahoo Finance — Senator Rick Scott Hails Jobless Claims Near 57-Year Low, Urges Congress to ‘Get Out Of Small Businesses’ Way’ — ‘Jobs Are the Key to Living the American Dream’
- PBS — U.S. unemployment claims dip to the lowest since mid-July
- moneyshow.com — (10/02/26) Jobs: Claims Remain Low, But Hiring Plans are Tepid
- MarketWatch — U.S. stock market looks set to rise after latest jobless claims data
- www.khaleejtimes.com — Historic low layoffs underpin US labour market; factory gate price pressures rising | Khaleej Times
- dictionary.cambridge.org — HISTORIC | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
- dictionary.cambridge.org — Historic or historical ? - Grammar - Cambridge Dictionary
- finance.yahoo.com — US weekly jobless claims fall; layoffs drop in September
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