US retail sales rebounded in June as the value of retail purchases, not adjusted for inflation, increased 0.6% after a sharp decline in May. Elsewhere, applications for US unemployment benefits decreased for a fifth straight week to the lowest level since mid-April.

Continuing claims were at the highest level since November 2021, a sign that workers are having trouble finding new positions after they are laid off.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in three months, a sign that the U.S. labor market remains sturdy despite fears over the impact of widespread U.

Weekly jobless claims fall 10,000 to 236,000; Continuing claims highest since November 2021; Durable goods orders soar 16.4% on strong aircraft demand

If the Trump trade wars caused any major private-sector layoffs, there’s little sign of it. Initial jobless claims fell last week to a nearly two-month low.

The Labor Department reported that jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell, fewer than analysts forecast.