U.S. Jobless Claims Rise Amid Iran War Uncertainty, But Layoffs Remain Low
The U.S. Labor Department reported an increase in jobless claims to 215,000, up from 210,000 the previous week. Despite this rise, layoffs remain low, indicating that most U.S. companies have not resorted to significant job cuts. The four-week moving average of claims also increased slightly, reflecting ongoing economic uncertainty due to the Iran war. The conflict has led to higher energy prices, impacting consumers and businesses. However, job creation has seen a modest increase, with an average of 76,000 jobs added per month from January to April 2026. This is a notable improvement compared to the previous year, although still below pre-pandemic levels. 
