"Steady decline: Jobless claims hit 217,000 as layoffs remain minimal"

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dipped slightly to 217,000, indicating a stable economy with low job losses. However, businesses are hiring less and the labor market has cooled off. The recent UAW auto strike may have inflated claims. While the unemployment rate remains low and few companies are laying off workers, the number of people collecting unemployment benefits has risen for seven consecutive weeks, suggesting it is taking longer for individuals to find new jobs. Despite some concerns, economists believe that the strong jobs market will continue to support economic expansion.