Weekly jobless claims in the US surged to 241,000, exceeding expectations and marking the highest levels in two months. Continuing claims have also reached their highest since late 2021, indicating potential economic trouble despite a generally stable labor market. While a significant uptick in claims was noted in states like New York, overall layoffs remain within historically healthy ranges. Reports suggest that many businesses are retaining workers despite fears of an economic downturn, though the labor market is facing pressure from ongoing tariff concerns.