U.S. jobless claims rise to 211,000 as labor market remains stable

U.S. initial jobless claims rose by 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 211,000 for the week ended May 9, 2026, the Labor Department said May 14, signaling a still-stable labor market despite inflation pressures tied to higher energy and commodity prices. The reading exceeded the 205,000 claims forecast by economists polled by Reuters. Continuing claims, a proxy for hiring, increased by 24,000 to 1.782 million for the week ended May 2. The data follow a May 13 government report showing producer prices posted their largest increase in four years in April. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 115,000 in April, while the unemployment rate held at 4.3%.