The number of initial jobless claims in the United States fell slightly last week, but the number of continuing jobless claims rose to a new high since November 2021.

The data released on Thursday showed that the number of initial jobless claims in the United States for the week ending June 21 was 236,000, lower than the market's expectation of 245,000, with the previous value revised from 245,000 to 246,000. The four-week moving average of initial jobless claims in the United States for the week ending June 21 was 245,000, slightly lower than the previous value of 245,500. However, the number of continued jobless claims in the United States for the week ending June 14 rose to 1.974 million, the highest level since November 2021, higher than the market's expectation of 1.95 million and the revised previous value of 1.937 million. The increase in continued jobless claims is consistent with the slowdown in hiring trends shown in other surveys and data. This week, economists are closely monitoring the Conference Board's job vacancy index, which has dropped to its lowest level since March 2021. Economists say that President Trump's tariff policies are making it difficult for businesses to plan for the future. Although current layoff levels are still at historic lows, continued hiring is weak, making it harder for the unemployed to find new opportunities. The Federal Reserve last week decided to keep interest rates unchanged, with policymakers waiting for clearer signs to assess the potential impact of tariffs on the economy. Fed Chairman Powell had said at the time that the labor market "does not urgently need a rate cut." And at this week's congressional hearing, Powell reiterated that the U.S. labor market remains strong.