US jobless claims ease, pointing to stable labour market

US initial jobless claims fell to 214,000 for the week ended December 24, down from 224,000 a week earlier and in line with recent expectations.

The latest reading extends a broadly stable trend seen through December, with claims oscillating in a narrow range after briefly rising to 236,000 in the week ended December 11.

Prior weeks saw claims at 224,000 on December 18 and a low of 191,000 in early December, showing limited volatility.

Overall, the data arguably points at layoffs remaining contained and the US labour market continuing to show resilience despite pockets of short-term fluctuation.