Labor market continues to cool as applications for unemployment benefits rise
![Labor market continues to cool as applications for unemployment benefits rise](https://nypost.com/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2024%2F07%2F84882524.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall)
First-time applications for unemployment benefits increased last week, while the number of people on jobless rolls rose further to a 2-1/2 year high towards the end of June, consistent with a gradual cooling in the labor market.