In recent weeks, first-time unemployment claims in the United States have consistently stayed at 212,000, sparking some concerns. However, officials attribute this stability to seasonal adjustments in the data. This indicates a steady jobs picture, with little volatility in unemployment over the past five weeks. The surprising consistency suggests that seasonal factors are effectively removing fluctuations from state data, providing a more accurate reflection of the labor market.
The US job market is expected to continue growing in March, with around 200,000 new jobs created. However, recent revisions have raised concerns about the accuracy of initial job growth numbers. Economists will also be looking at the composition of the job growth and signs of potential weakening, such as a decline in full-time employment and an increase in part-time and temporary work.