US weekly jobless claims rise more than expected while labor market holds steady
New claims for US unemployment benefits rose to 231,000 last week as winter storms hit. Analysts believe the underlying labor market remains largely stable.
Insights:
The U.S. Labor Department announced on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, that initial claims for state unemployment benefits in the US 
US rose by 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ended Jan. 31. This increase represents the largest weekly rise since early December and comes at a time when analysts are closely monitoring the labor market for signs of shifting stability.
US rose by 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ended Jan. 31. This increase represents the largest weekly rise since early December and comes at a time when analysts are closely monitoring the labor market for signs of shifting stability.According to the U.S. Labor Department, the move likely reflects disruptions caused by recent snowstorms and a normalization of data following the typical seasonal-adjustment volatility seen at the turn of the year. The spike coincides with the washout of these seasonal factors and winter weather challenges that have impacted various regions across the country.
