GET DAILY REPORT FREE
U.S. applications for jobless benefits rose modestly last week as businesses continue to retain workers despite fears of a possible economic downturn.
Jobless claim applications inched up by 6,000, to 222,000, for the week ending April 19, the Labor Department said Thursday. The total is just barely more than the 220,000 new applications analysts forecast.
Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for layoffs, and have mostly stayed in a healthy range between 200,000 and 250,000 for the past few years.
Even though President Donald Trump has paused or pulled back on many of his tariff threats, concerns remain about a global economic slowdown that could upend what has been a historically resilient labor market.
Early Thursday, the head of the International Monetary Fund urged countries to move “swiftly’’ to resolve trade disputes that threaten global economic growth.
