The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but remains at historically healthy levels.
Jobless claim applications rose by 9,000 to 224,000 for the week of Nov. 30, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That's more than the 214,000 analysts were forecasting.
Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, fell by 25,000 to 1.87 million for the week of Nov. 23. That's down from the three-year high levels it had been at the past few weeks.
The four-week average of weekly claims, which quiets some of the weekly volatility, rose by 750 to 218,250.
Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for U.S. layoffs.
While the job markets has shown some softening recently, it remains healthy and has exceeded most expectations considering that interest rates have been elevated in recent years. The Federal Reserve jacked up rates in 2022 and into 2023 in an attempt to squelch the sky-high inflation that developed when the U.S. economy rebounded from the brief but sharp pandemic recession.
The Fed has cut its benchmark rate at its last two meetings in response to receding inflation, which has fallen close to the U.S. central bank’s 2% target.
Earlier this week, the government reported that U.S. job openings rebounded to 7.7 million in October from a 3 1/2 year low of 7.4 million in September, a sign that businesses are still seeking workers even though hiring has cooled.
In October, U.S. employers added a paltry 12,000 jobs, a total that economists say was crimped by the effects of strikes and hurricanes that left many workers temporarily off payrolls.
Analysts forecast that the government will report on Friday that U.S. employers added 215,000 jobs in November, a healthy figure more in line with recent months.
A help wanted sign is displayed at a restaurant in Chicago, Ill., Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Samuel Helenius and Adrian Kempe scored in the third period, and the Los Angeles Kings rallied to beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 26 shots for Los Angeles, which was held to two goals or fewer for the seventh time in eight games and snapped a two-game skid.
Evan Rodrigues scored a power-play goal and Spencer Knight made 26 saves for the Panthers, who were coming off a 5-2 win at Anaheim on Tuesday night.
Helenius got his first NHL goal at 6:41 of the third to tie the score. Kempe then scored for the fourth straight game when he tipped in Kevin Fiala’s shot with 6:48 left to put the Kings ahead.
Panthers: There wasn’t much gas in the tank from the start for Florida, and it eventually ran out in the third. They will gladly enjoy the next two days off before starting another back-to-back.
Kings: Helenius played the lowest ice time of any Los Angeles player, but his first goal in 25 career games proved to be monumental in turning the momentum.
Tanner Jeannot was aggressive in attacking the loose rebound of Jordan Spence’s shot, keeping the puck alive so Helenius could shoot into an open net.
The Panthers fell to 18-2-0 when leading after two periods. It was also their sixth loss in 26 games when getting the first goal.
Panthers visit San Jose on Saturday, and Kings play at Columbus to start a five-game trip.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Florida Panthers center Jesper Boqvist, left, passes the puck away from Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Kings center Samuel Helenius celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Kings winger Trevor Moore, left, and Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling race against each other to reach the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov controls the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game agaianst the Los Angeles Kings, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper stops a shot during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Kings center Samuel Helenius celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
