The number of initial unemployment benefits in the United States rose slightly last week, which may provide the Federal Reserve with room to pause interest rate cuts

Odaily News The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the first time last week rose modestly, in line with a gradual easing of labor market conditions. The Labor Department said on Thursday that initial jobless claims rose by 11,000 to 219,000 in the week ended February 1, seasonally adjusted, compared with expectations for 213,000. The resilience of the labor market is the driving force behind the economic expansion and gives the Federal Reserve room to pause on rate cuts while policymakers assess the impact of the Trump administration's fiscal, trade and immigration policies, which economists believe will lead to inflation. (Jinshi)