US Jobless Claims Fall Back to Near Four-Year Levels

According to the US Department of Labor, initial jobless claims dropped by 33,000 to 231,000, marking the steepest weekly decline in nearly four years and aligning with Bloomberg’s forecast expectations.

Summary

The US Department of Labor reported that initial jobless claims for the week ending September 13 fell by 33,000 to 231,000, the largest decrease in nearly four years. The decline reversed the previous week’s sharp rise and aligned with Bloomberg’s economist survey, which predicted 240,000 claims. Continuing claims also fell, reaching 1.92 million in the prior week.

Terms & Concepts
  • Initial Jobless Claims: The number of individuals filing for unemployment benefits for the first time, serving as a measure of labor market health.
  • Continuing Claims: The number of people continuing to receive unemployment benefits after their initial claim, indicating ongoing unemployment levels.