Jobless Claims Rise , as Omicron Spreads in <br />the United States.<br />CNBC reports that as the highly-infectious Omicron variant sweeps the nation, jobless claims rose higher than many had expected.<br />CNBC reports that as the highly-infectious Omicron variant sweeps the nation, jobless claims rose higher than many had expected.<br />According to the U.S. Labor Department, jobless claims reached 207,000 <br />for the week ending January 1.<br />Conservative economic estimates for <br />jobless claims were around <br />195,000 for the month.<br />Still, experts say jobless claims have <br />hovered below pre-pandemic levels <br />in the last four weeks.<br />Still, experts say jobless claims have <br />hovered below pre-pandemic levels <br />in the last four weeks.<br />Weekly unemployment claims only ticked up for the latest week, showing the surge in Omicron cases hasn’t increased layoffs. , Robert Frick, corporate economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, via CNBC.<br />Continuing claims also increased by 36,000 for the period, totaling 1.75 million.<br />Though the COVID-19 pandemic <br />rages on, officials say the jobs <br />market could be picking up steam.<br />As the unemployment rate sits at 4.2%, economists predict nearly 422,000 jobs were filled last month.<br />As the unemployment rate sits at 4.2%, economists predict nearly 422,000 jobs were filled last month.<br />According to CNBC, officials were <br />disappointed in October and <br />November jobs reports.<br />The outlook moving forward <br />is one of cautious optimism.<br />The underlying trend in claims <br />is downward but the speed <br />of the drop in October <br />and early November <br />could not be sustained. , Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, via CNBC
