Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 210,000 for the week ended March 21, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 210,000 claims for the latest week. Claims have been tucked in a 201,000-230,000 range this year amid low layoffs. The so-called continuing claims data covered the period during which the government surveyed households for March's unemployment rate. The unemployment rate increased to 4.4% in February from 4.3% in January.

Source: The Edge Markets March 26, 2026 12:54 UTC