REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 24 (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, as labor market conditions remained tight despite the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 230,000 for the week ended Aug. 19, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
The labor market is continuing to defy expectations in the face of the Fed's aggressive interest hikes since March 2022, as employers hoard workers after struggling to find labor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labor market strength and receding inflation are fanning optimism that the economy could avoid a recession.
These so-called continuing claims remain low by historical standards, indicating that some laid-off workers are experiencing short spells of unemployment.
Persons:
Elizabeth Frantz, Safiyah Riddle, Paul Simao
Organizations:
REUTERS, Labor Department, Reuters, Labor, Thomson
Locations:
Arlington , Virginia, U.S