Analysis: Initial jobless claims in the United States declined, indicating a stable labor market.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits declined last week, and the unemployment rate appeared to remain stable in April, with the labor market showing no substantial impact from the US-Israel war against Iran. Data released by the US Labor Department on Thursday showed that initial jobless claims in the US for the week ending April 25 totaled 189,000. Despite the oil price shock caused by the Middle East conflict, the labor market remains in a "low hiring, low layoffs" pattern. Nevertheless, economists warn of downside risks due to the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven up prices for fertilizers, petrochemicals, and other commodities such as aluminum. Continuing jobless claims, seasonally adjusted, decreased by 23,000 to 1.785 million. A survey conducted Tuesday by the Conference Board showed that the proportion of consumers who considered employment "difficult to find" fell in April, while the proportion who considered employment "adequate" remained largely unchanged. Economists said these findings are consistent with the stable unemployment rate in April. (Jinshi)