The number of initial jobless claims in the United States has returned to a moderate level, and the probability of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 25 basis points in March has dropped to 7%.

Odaily Planet Daily News The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week, returning to the modest levels seen at the start of the year. Initial jobless claims fell by 21,000 to 221,000 in the week ended March 1, below expectations of 233,000. Continuing claims rose to 1.9 million last week. The figure is close to the three-year high set in January, suggesting that the unemployed are having more trouble finding new jobs. Economists are watching weekly jobless claims closely for signs of a deteriorating job market as the Trump administration moves to reduce the size of the federal government and concerns about the impact of tariffs weigh on corporate decisions. (Jin Shi) According to CME Fed Watch data, after the release of initial jobless claims in the United States, the probability of a 25 basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve in March fell to 7% (previously 9%), with about 13 days until the next FOMC meeting.