Jobless Claims Soar to Eight-Month High as More Americans Seek Unemployment Benefits

WASHINGTON — Filings for unemployment benefits in the U.S. reached their highest mark in eight months last week, though they remain historically low amid rising apprehensions regarding potential tariff impacts on the economy.New jobless claims increased by 8,000 to 247,000 for the week concluding May 31, the Labor Department reported Thursday, surpassing analysts' expectations of 237,000.These weekly claims are indicative of layoffs and have generally hovered within a healthy range of 200,000 to 250,000 since the disruptions caused by COVID-19 five years prior.Despite the pause in tariff threats from President Donald Trump, concerns about a tariff-induced slowdown jeopardizing the currently robust labor market persist.Recent reports show a decline in job confidence, marked by fewer Americans resigning and a rising trend in layoffs. The Labor Department's comprehensive employment report is anticipated this Friday, with expectations for a modest increase of 130,000 jobs in May, down from April's 177,000.