Initial claims reached 231,000 against expectations of 212,000, while the four-week average rose, signalling modest softening in labor market momentum.
U.S. initial jobless claims for the week ending January 31 reached 231,000, exceeding the forecast of 212,000 and up from the prior week's 209,000. The four-week moving average rose to 212,250 from 206,250, indicating a trend toward slightly higher unemployment filings. Continuing claims for the week ending January 24 totaled 1.844 million, just below the expected 1.847 million, suggesting that although new claims have increased, ongoing benefit recipients remain near forecasts.