[U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Decline, Unemployment Rate Rises to Four-Year High] Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that for the week ending September 20, initial jobless claims decreased by 14,000 to 218,000, but the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, marking a four-year high. Weak labor demand has led companies to hoard workers but remain reluctant to hire more staff. Protectionist trade policies and immigration policies further constrain job growth, and the Federal Reserve cut interest rates last week to address economic pressures.