US jobless claims dip as layoffs remain historically lowFresh unemployment claims in the United States fell unexpectedly last week, suggesting employers continue to hold on to workers even as hiring momentum weakens and economic uncertainty persists.Data released by the US Labour Department on Thursday showed 215,000 Americans filed first-time applications for unemployment benefits in the week ended July 4, down 2,000 from the previous week. The figure also came in below economists' expectations of 220,000 claims.The latest reading reinforces the view that the labour market remains relatively stable on the layoffs front, although businesses are becoming increasingly cautious about expanding their workforce.That caution was evident in June's employment report, which showed employers created just 57,000 new jobs, marking one of the weakest monthly gains this year. While the unemployment rate eased to 4.2%, the decline reflected fewer people participating in the labour force rather than stronger hiring activity.The contrasting trends point to a labour market that is no longer expanding at the pace seen after the pandemic but has also avoided a sharp deterioration. Companies appear to be slowing recruitment instead of resorting to widespread layoffs.Analysts say employers continue to grapple with multiple headwinds, including higher borrowing costs, trade uncertainty linked to President Donald Trump's tariff policies and the impact of federal workforce reductions.Large employers across sectors have already announced workforce reductions this year. Microsoft recently said it would eliminate 4,800 jobs, while companies such as Amazon, UPS, Verizon, Disney, Starbucks and Walmart have also trimmed headcount in recent months.Meanwhile, the four-week average of new unemployment claims, which provides a clearer picture by smoothing weekly fluctuations, declined to 218,750, indicating that layoffs remain broadly contained.However, continuing unemployment claims rose to 1.81 million in the latest available week, suggesting some displaced workers are taking longer to secure new employment even as overall job losses remain historically low.