US Initial Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Fall, Still Face Seasonal Adjustment Challenges

**U.S. Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Hit Nov 2023 Low, Below Economist Forecasts** (Jan 15) — Weekly initial jobless claims in the U.S. unexpectedly dropped to their lowest level since November 2023 last week, holding steady at a low level following post-holiday volatility, according to Labor Department data released Thursday. As of the week ending Jan 10, claims fell by 9,000 to 198,000 — below all expectations from economists surveyed by leading institutions. Institutional analysts note the surprise decline likely reflects ongoing challenges with seasonal data adjustments tied to year-end holidays and early 2024. Labor market dynamics have shown little change, with layoffs remaining low and hiring still slow. (FXStreet)