New filings for unemployment benefits in the United States climbed to their highest level in eight months last week, underscoring potential signs of stress in the labor market as businesses brace for uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy. However, despite the increase, claims remain within a historically low and stable range.

According to data released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor, jobless claims rose by 8,000 to 247,000 for the week ending May 31. That marks the highest weekly total since early October and surpassed analysts’ expectations, which had forecast 237,000 new claims.

While the uptick in applications may raise some concerns, the overall figure still falls within a range considered healthy by economists. Since the pandemic’s economic shock five years ago, weekly

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