US Jobless Claims Decline in Multiple States

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 241,000 last week, an increase of 18,000 from the previous week, according to the Department of Labor, reflecting a nationwide trend despite declines in several states. Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois all reported drops in new jobless claims compared to the prior week, signaling localized improvement. Puerto Rico experienced the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, while Rhode Island saw the steepest percentage drop. Meanwhile, initial filings for unemployment benefits by federal employees have remained steady over the past five weeks following a brief spike related to administrative layoffs, with new applications aligning with last year's average. These mixed trends highlight regional differences in the labor market and ongoing fluctuations in employment stability.