Jobless claims hit 200,000 as U.S. labor market stays resilient amid inflation and Middle East tensions

U.S. weekly initial jobless claims rose to 200,000 for the week ending May 2, but remain near historically low levels as hiring slows gradually; the four-week average slid to 203,250, while inflation and energy costs stay elevated amid the Iran war, and the Fed has kept rates steady in a backdrop of a still-healthy but cooling job market.