Here’s a preview of important business happenings and economic indicators that will occur in the coming week.

**LAYOFFS UPDATE**
On Thursday, the Labor Department will announce its weekly report on the number of new claims for unemployment benefits.
Two weeks preceding this report, the figure for Americans filing for unemployment benefits stabilized at a seasonally adjusted 219,000. These weekly figures for jobless benefits applications serve as an indirect measure of layoffs in the job market.

Here are the initial jobless benefit claims over recent weeks, adjusted seasonally:
– Nov. 15: 215,000
– Nov. 22: 215,000
– Nov. 29: 225,000
– Dec. 6: 242,000
– Dec. 13: 220,000
– Dec. 20: 219,000

**KICKING OFF 2025**
Also on Thursday, the U.S. financial markets will commence trading for the first time in 2025.
Replicating the gains seen in 2024, particularly for the S&P 500, may present challenges as it reached 57 all-time highs fueled by a thriving economy and three interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Sectors such as Big Tech, the cryptocurrency bitcoin, and gold are expected to continue their strong performance.

**MORTGAGE RATES**
On Thursday, Freddie Mac, the mortgage buyer, will provide its latest review of the average home loan rates in the United States.
Last week noted an increase in the average rate for a 30-year mortgage, which rose to 6.85%. High mortgage rates combined with escalating home prices have left numerous potential homebuyers on the sidelines, leading to the forecast of the lowest home sales year since 1995.

Here’s the average rate for the standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgage over recent weeks:
– Nov. 21: 6.84
– Nov. 27: 6.81
– Dec. 5: 6.69
– Dec. 12: 6.60
– Dec. 19: 6.72
– Dec. 26: 6.85