Another 1.3 million Americans filed for new unemployment benefits last week, according to data released Thursday by the Labor Department.
The number of Americans who signed up for the first time to get an unemployment check was still double what it was during the peak of the 2007-2009 Great Recession, though first-time claims have been trending lower since hitting a record high in March.
The number of those continuing to receive benefits beyond the first week remains elevated at 18 million.
Weekly jobless claims are closely watched.. because they provide a real-time snapshot of the economy.
The data show the labor market has hit a snag as states re-think their re-openings and struggling companies reveal layoff plans.
Just this week, United Airlines warned 36,000 employees they could be furloughed as soon as October 1st, iconic denim company Levi Strauss said it would slash about 700 positions... and retailer Bed Bath and Beyond said it will shut 200 stores, that ultimately will lead to layoffs.
