Updated: 06-Aug-26 09:20 ET
Highlights
- Initial jobless claims for the week ending August 1 increased by 1,000 to 199,000 (Briefing.com consensus: 200,000).
- Continuing jobless claims for the week ending July 25 increase by 24,000 to 1.801 million.
- The four-week moving average for initial claims decreased by 4,500 to 198,750.
- The four-week moving average for continuing claims decreased by 5,000 to 1,791,250.
- The total number of continued weeks claimed for benefits in all programs for the week ending July 18 was 1,867,802. Claims filed in the comparable week a year ago totaled 2,036,224.
- The key takeaway from the report, once again, is the extraordinarily low level of initial jobless claims, which reflects an environment in which employers are still reluctant to cut staff. That will be read as a good sign for economic demand.
| Category | Aug 1 | Jul 25 | Jul 18 | Jul 11 | Jul 4 |
| Initial Claims | 199K | 198K | 189K | 209K | 217K |
| 4-Wk Moving Avg | 199K | 203K | 208K | 215K | 219K |
| Continued Benefits | 1801K | 1777K | 1789K | 1798K | |
| 4-Wk Moving Avg | 1791K | 1796K | 1804K | 1809K |
