Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits increased to their highest level in eight months last week, signaling some growing uncertainty amid concerns over tariffs and their impact on the economy. According to the Labor Department’s report on Thursday, new applications for jobless benefits rose by 8,000 to 247,000 for the week ending May 31. This marks the highest number of weekly claims since early October 2024, surpassing analysts’ expectations of 237,000 claims. Despite the increase, unemployment claims remain within a historically healthy range, fluctuating mostly between 200,000 and 250,000 since the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago.