Initial Jobless Claims reached a three-month high, up by 13,000 as 231,000 people filed for unemployment benefits for the first time. What’s more, Continuing Claims increased by 32,000, with 1.865 million people still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. This is the highest level of Continuing Claims since November 2021. What’s the bottom line? Initial Jobless Claims remain relatively low on a historical basis, suggesting that employers are trying to hold on to workers, though the number of first-time filers has begun to trend higher in recent weeks. Plus, Continuing Claims have risen for eight straight weeks, up by 207,000 since September, suggesting that it’s becoming harder for people to find employment once they are let go.