U.S. Jobless Claims Rise Amid Trade Policy Worries

U.S. initial jobless claims rose by 6,000 to 222,000 for the week ending April 19, in line with market expectations and reflecting ongoing labor market resilience. Continuing claims fell by 37,000 to 1,841,000, marking a two-month low. Analysts note that caution in hiring is partly due to President Trump's trade policies, new or increased tariffs, and associated business uncertainty, as well as reductions in government workforce. The Federal Reserve's Beige Book reports that some firms are pausing hiring or preparing for layoffs amid economic uncertainty, though overall layoffs remain historically low. Additionally, durable goods orders surged, with gains mainly in the transportation sector. Despite economic pressures, the U.S. labor market remains strong.