The Labor Department reported a slight rise in the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week, with an increase of 6,000 bringing the total to 225,000 for the week of Sept. 28, a slight rise from the 221,000 analysts had expected. However, the four-week average of claims fell by 750 to 224,250, indicating overall balance in the job market. Applications for jobless benefits are generally seen as representative of U.S. layoffs in a given week.

Changes in labor market data suggest that high interest rates may be impacting the job market. In response, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate last month to support the job market and curb inflation. During the first four months of 2024, applications for jobless benefits averaged just 213,000 a week before rising in May, peaking at 250,000 in late July. Recently, there has been a slowdown in job market growth, leading to the Fed’s decision to cut interest rates.

The report also noted a decrease in the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits - down by 1,000 to about 1.83 million for the week of Sept. 21. This data further illustrates the balance in the U.S. job market, even amidst mild volatility.

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