Florida saw a decrease in initial unemployment claims last week, offering a positive sign for the state’s labor market. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 6,528 initial claims were filed in Florida during the week ending January 18th, down from a revised count of 7,525 the previous week.
This decline contrasts with the national trend, which saw an increase in unemployment claims. Nationally, 223,000 claims were filed during the week ending January 18th, up from 217,000 the previous week.
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The latest figures suggest a continued recovery for Florida’s job market, which experienced some volatility following Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall. The state’s unemployment rate stood at 3.4 percent in November, and the December report is expected to be released Friday by the Florida Department of Commerce.
The national unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.1 percent in December, down from 4.2 percent in November. However, the rise in initial unemployment claims could indicate some softening in the labor market.
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