Jobless claims rose by 11,000 to 227,000 for the week ending March 5th, slightly more than previous weeks.

But, at the same time, layoffs have settled to the low, pre-pandemic levels seen before the coronavirus recession in 2020.

The four-week average for claims, which compensates for weekly volatility, rose by just 500 to 230,750.

In total, 1,474,000 Americans were collecting jobless aid for the week that ended February 26th, up slightly from the week before that.

Still, the four-week moving average for that number is at its lowest level in more than 50 years.