The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits declined for the sixth consecutive week, reaching its lowest level since mid-April, underscoring the labor market’s resilience despite ongoing trade tensions.
US Labor Department data released Thursday showed initial jobless claims fell by 4,000 to 217,000 in the week ending July 19, down from the prior week’s unadjusted reading of 221,000.
Economists had expected an increase of 6,000 claims to 227,000.
The four-week moving average, considered a more reliable gauge of labor market trends, also fell by 5,000 to 224,500, compared to the previous week’s average of 229,500.
Weekly Jobless Claims
Item
Last Year
Last Week
Current Week
Change
Initial Claims (‘000)
236
221
217
(4)
4-Week Average (‘000)
234
229.5
224.5
(5)
No. of Beneficiaries (mln)
1.853
1.951
1.955
0.004
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits declined for the sixth consecutive week, reaching its lowest level since mid-April, underscoring the labor market’s resilience despite ongoing trade tensions.
US Labor Department data released Thursday showed initial jobless claims fell by 4,000 to 217,000 in the week ending July 19, down from the prior week’s unadjusted reading of 221,000.
Economists had expected an increase of 6,000 claims to 227,000.
The four-week moving average, considered a more reliable gauge of labor market trends, also fell by 5,000 to 224,500, compared to the previous week’s average of 229,500.
Weekly Jobless Claims
Item
Last Year
Last Week
Current Week
Change
Initial Claims (‘000)
236
221
217
(4)
4-Week Average (‘000)
234
229.5
224.5
(5)
No. of Beneficiaries (mln)
1.853
1.951
1.955
0.004
