U.S. initial jobless claims fell to 197,000 from a revised 198,000, their lowest level since mid-July, underscoring that layoffs remain limited despite higher energy prices and the conflict with Iran. The four-week average declined by 2,500 to 200,000. August data showed fewer job openings, lower layoffs and a slight retreat in worker quits, while gross hiring increased modestly but remained subdued. Employers have added an average of 80,000 jobs a month this year, including 162,000 in August, an improvement from the 9,700 monthly average in 2025. Forecasters surveyed by FactSet expect 90,000 jobs were added in September and the unemployment rate held at 4.1%.