Jobless claims rise to 219,000 as labor market enters 'low-hire, low-fire' state
EM
Ezra Monroe
Fed interest rate decision · Apr 10, 2026
Source: The Digital Ledger Data Terminal
People out of work are struggling to find new jobs. This is the result of a labor market stuck in what economists call a 'low-hire, low-fire' state. Employers added fewer than 200,000 jobs last year, compared to 1.5 million in 2024. Hiring began slowing about two years ago and tapered further in 2025 due to high interest rates, federal workforce purges, and erratic tariff roll-outs.
Weekly jobless aid applications for the week ending April 4 rose by 16,000 to 219,000, exceeding the 210,000 expected by analysts. Despite the jump, applications have remained mostly between 200,000 and 250,000 since the US economy emerged from the pandemic recession.
Fed interest rate decision
The Ledger Morning
The essential intelligence to start your trading day. Delivered 6:00 AM EST.
Join 50,000+ professionals who start their day with The Digital Ledger.