The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits decreased last week, indicating a strong labor market that continues to bolster the economy. This marks the second consecutive weekly decline, reversing most of the earlier increase this month. Despite slower job growth due to past Federal Reserve rate hikes, layoffs remain low. Initial claims fell by 8,000 to 215,000, below the forecasted 220,000, with significant drops in California and Indiana. Economist Robert Frick noted that the feared increase in claims has not materialized, affirming the labor market’s robustness.