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Jobless Claims Hit 2-Year Low; Fed Holds Rates

5/1/2026

25 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Unemployment benefit applications fell to the lowest level in decades, signaling a still-tight labor market.
Initial jobless claims dropped to 189,000 for the week ending April 25, according to Labor Department data.
Continuing claims fell to 1.79 million, the lowest figure in two years.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell citing labor-market stability as a reason to delay further cuts.

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Story summary

Unemployment benefit applications fell to the lowest level in decades, signaling a still-tight labor market.
Initial jobless claims dropped to 189,000 for the week ending April 25, according to Labor Department data.
Continuing claims fell to 1.79 million, the lowest figure in two years.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell citing labor-market stability as a reason to delay further cuts.