The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week, pointing to steadily easing labor market conditions heading into the final stretch of 2024. Sluggish hiring,

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 224,000 for the week ended Nov. 30

Initial jobless claims in the U.S. climbed to 224,000 in the week ended on Nov. 30, a small increase from the revised total of 215,000 in the prior week. Economists had forecast a consensus figure of 215,000.