ChainCatcher reported that the number of initial unemployment claims in the United States increased slightly last week, suggesting that layoffs remain low even as the labor market slows.

The U.S. Department of Labor said on Thursday that initial unemployment claims in the United States increased slightly by 2,000 to 230,000 in the week ending September 7. However, last week's data survey period included the U.S. Labor Day holiday. Initial unemployment claims tend to fluctuate around public holidays.

In addition, the number of people continuing to apply for unemployment benefits in the United States as of the week ending August 31 was 1.85 million, a slight increase of 5,000. After soaring to levels not seen since the end of 2021 in July, the number of people continuing to apply for unemployment benefits has mostly been on a downward trend in August. The decline is consistent with the decline in the unemployment rate last month.