The number of Americans filing for jobless claims remains at the highest level in eight months, with initial claims reported at 248,000, slightly exceeding expectations. Continuing claims have also surged, hitting levels not seen since late 2021. These trends indicate a slowdown in the labor market, with workers taking longer to find new employment and unemployment claims rising particularly in states like Florida and Illinois. Analysts suggest that factors such as the end of the school year may contribute to this spike in claims.