The number of initial jobless claims in the United States has increased, and economists had previously expected the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates only twice this year

ChainCatcher news, according to Jinshi reports, the number of initial jobless claims in the United States exceeded expectations last week, but remains at a level consistent with a healthy labor market. The U.S. Department of Labor announced on Thursday that for the week ending January 11, the number of initial jobless claims increased by 14,000, seasonally adjusted, to 217,000.

Economists had previously expected the number of initial jobless claims to be 210,000. Initial jobless claims tend to fluctuate significantly at the beginning of the year, but continue to show low layoff rates, providing support for the job market and the overall economy. The resilience of the job market, still moderate inflation, and the uncertainty surrounding President-elect Trump's broad tariff imposition and large-scale deportation plans for undocumented immigrants have led the Federal Reserve to anticipate only two rate cuts this year.