Initial Jobless Claims
Initial claims for unemployment insurance, seasonally adjusted.
215000.00
Number
Min
162000.00
Max
6137000.00
Average
359939.01
10Y Percentile
25%
3M Change
+8.0%
3-Month
+8.0%
6-Month
+3.4%
12-Month
+0.5%
What this means
Initial jobless claims jumped 8%, indicating the labor market is softening. The level remains in the lower 25th percentile of the past decade.
When claims rise, equities often face pressure. Safe‑haven assets like Treasuries tend to gain.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are initial jobless claims?
Initial jobless claims count the number of people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time each week. It is one of the most timely economic indicators, released every Thursday by the Department of Labor.
What level of jobless claims is concerning?
Claims below 250,000 generally indicate a healthy labor market. A sustained rise above 300,000 has historically coincided with deteriorating economic conditions. The trend matters more than any single week's reading.