U.S. Jobless Claims Dip to 209K; Trade Deficit Surges 94.6% to $56.8B, Widest in Nearly 34 Years

Initial U.S. jobless claims fell by 1,000 to 209,000 for the week ended January 24, 2026, signaling sustained low layoffs despite hiring caution. The prior week was revised up to 210,000. Continuing claims dropped 38,000 to 1.827 million, though seasonal distortions and benefit exhaustion may skew figures. The trade deficit ballooned 94.6% to $56.8 billion in November 2025 — the largest jump since March 1992 — driven by record capital goods imports tied to AI investment. Imports surged 5.0% to $348.9B; exports fell 3.6% to $292.1B. Atlanta Fed slashed Q4 GDP growth to 4.2% from 5.4%; Goldman cut to 2.0% from 2.4%. Markets dipped as uncertainty over tariffs, labor supply, and a potential Jan 30 government shutdown looms.