US Weekly Jobless Claims Rise Slightly Amid Stable Labor Market and Tariff Uncertainty

Weekly US jobless claims rose slightly by 4,000 to 212,000 for the week ending February 21, indicating a stable labor market with unemployment steady in February. Economists noted the labor market is recovering after last year's soft patch linked to tariff-related uncertainty. The recent Supreme Court ruling invalidated some tariffs, but new duties were imposed, causing near-term uncertainty. Continuing claims fell by 31,000, suggesting ongoing hiring activity amid cautious business sentiment influenced by tariffs and AI adoption.