The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to still-low layoffs, though the labour market is struggling to generate enough jobs for those out of work amid lingering economic uncertainty.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 216,000 for the week ended November 22, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 225,000 claims for the latest week.

The report was released a day early because of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. Economists say President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade and immigration policies had created an environment where businesses are reluctant to lay off or hire more workers, leading to what they and policymakers call a “no hire

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