The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell to a six-week low last week, but the ranks of those continuing to collect benefits after their initial week held steady at the highest in nearly four years in the prior week.

The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week fell to a six-week low, underscoring the reluctance of businesses to lay off workers even amid the tumult of ongoing trade wars.

Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs in the U.S. remain low despite uncertainty about how tariffs will impact the economy