UK unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9% in May 2026, slightly lower than expectation of 5%
07/26/2026 12:00 pm EST
AJ Economy Trend - UK Neutral as unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9% in the three months to May 2026
The UK unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9% in the three months to May 2026, contrary to expectations for an increase to 5.0%. The number of unemployed people fell by 17,000 to 1.760 million, mainly due to declines among those unemployed for six to 12 months and for more than a year. However, unemployment was still 81,000 higher than a year earlier, reflecting increases in longer-term unemployment.
Meanwhile, total employment rose by 148,000 to 34.475 million, well above expectations for an 85,000 increase and marking the strongest quarterly gain since July 2025. Employment was also 340,000 higher than a year earlier, supported by growth in both full-time and part-time work. The number of people with second jobs increased to 1.278 million, representing 3.7% of all employed people.
US Initial Jobless claims fell by 8,000 in July 11 2026, below expectation of 217,000. Continuing claims declined to 1.805 million
07/12/2026 12:00 pm EST
AJ Economy Trend - US Up due to continuous weeks of lowering initial jobless claims and continuous claims.
The UK unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9% in the three months to May 2026, contrary to expectations for an increase to 5.0%. The number of unemployed people fell by 17,000 to 1.760 million, mainly due to declines among those unemployed for six to 12 months and for more than a year. However, unemployment was still 81,000 higher than a year earlier, reflecting increases in longer-term unemployment.
Meanwhile, total employment rose by 148,000 to 34.475 million, well above expectations for an 85,000 increase and marking the strongest quarterly gain since July 2025. Employment was also 340,000 higher than a year earlier, supported by growth in both full-time and part-time work. The number of people with second jobs increased to 1.278 million, representing 3.7% of all employed people.
US Initial Jobless Claims Fell by 2,000 to 215,000 in the week ending July 4th, below market expectations of 218,000
07/12/2026 12:00 pm EST
AJ Economy Trend - US Up due to lowered jobless claims and continuous jobless claims in the week ending July 4th
US initial jobless claims fell by 2,000 to 215,000 in the week ending July 4, below market expectations of 218,000, indicating that layoffs remained limited. Continuing claims rose by 8,000 to 1.814 million in the final full week of June, the highest level since late March but still below forecasts of 1.820 million. Although unemployment claims remained slightly above levels recorded at the beginning of the second quarter, the data continued to point to a low-firing labor market. Meanwhile, initial claims filed by federal employees declined by 40 to 404 amid continued scrutiny of the administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce.
US continuing jobless claims rose by 8,000 to 1.814 million in the week ending June 27, 2026, the highest level in roughly three months. The reading was up from 1.806 million in the previous week but remained below market expectations of 1.820 million.
US Economic Optimism improved in July 2026, with RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index rising to 45.5 from 42.5
07/09/2026 12:00 pm EST
AJ Economy Trend - US Up due to improved optimism in Economic Optimism Index
U.S. economic optimism improved in July 2026, with the RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index rising to 45.5 from 42.5 in May and slightly beating expectations. The improvement was driven by stronger views on the six-month economic outlook, better expectations for personal finances, and increased confidence in federal economic policies. The Personal Financial Outlook remained the strongest component at 52.2, staying above the neutral 50 level, while the broader index and other components remained below 50, indicating that overall sentiment was still cautious despite the monthly improvement.
US unemployment rate holding at 4.2% with non farm payrolls rose by 57,000. April and May payrolls revised down by combined 74,000
07/05/2026 12:00 pm EST
AJ Economy Trend - US Down due to continuously weakening labor market and slowed down non-farm payrolls
The U.S. labor market showed little change in June, with nonfarm payrolls rising by 57,000 and the unemployment rate holding at 4.2%. Job gains were concentrated in professional and business services, social assistance, and health care, while leisure and hospitality lost 61,000 jobs due to weaker-than-usual seasonal hiring. Labor force participation declined to 61.5%, and the employment-population ratio edged down to 59.0%, suggesting some softening in labor market conditions. Long-term unemployment remained elevated at 1.9 million, while wage growth stayed moderate, with average hourly earnings rising 0.3% for the month and 3.5% from a year earlier. April and May payrolls were revised down by a combined 74,000, indicating that recent hiring momentum was weaker than previously reported.