WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits increased slightly last week, while layoffs dropped to a two-year low in July, consistent with a stable labor market. Announced layoffs fell 46% from a year ago. Planned layoffs so far this year are down 41% compared to the same period in 2025. “The pace of layoffs fell dramatically this summer,” said Andy Challenger, chief revenue officer at Challenger, Gray and Christmas. Though the Challenger report showed announced hiring plans jumped 47% in July to a four-year high of 16,095, the increase was off a very low base.