Labor Market Chill: U.S. Jobless Claims Hit 2026 Low as Hiring Remains Frozen

The U.S. labor market flashed a signal of stabilization today, February 19, 2026, as initial jobless claims plunged to their lowest level of the year. However, beneath the headline drop lies a complex "low-hire, low-fire" equilibrium that continues to challenge the Federal Reserve's path toward interest rate cuts.