Winter Layoffs Show Early Signs of Easing

Worker filings for unemployment claims fell last week to a level well below an early January peak, a sign the labor market is mending from a steep slowdown.

The number of weekly claims for unemployment benefits decreased to 793,000 last week from 812,000 a week earlier, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims have steadily declined since early January when they exceeded 900,000. Filings remain above the pre-pandemic peak of 695,000.

Employers resumed hiring in January after payrolls fell at the end of 2020, and job openings picked up, driven...