US Jobless Claims Slip to 197,000 as the Four Week Average Declines
Initial claims for US unemployment benefits fell by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 197,000 in the week ending 19 September, the Department of Labor said on 24 September. The previous week’s figure was revised up by 2,000 to 198,000. The four week moving average fell by 1,750 to 202,250.
| Measure | Latest | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Initial claims, week to 19 Sep | 197,000 | 198,000 |
| Four week moving average | 202,250 | 204,000 |
| Insured unemployment, week to 12 Sep | 1,719,000 | 1,717,000 |
| Insured unemployment rate | 1.1% | 1.1% |
Seasonally adjusted. Department of Labor. Previous figures as revised.
Below last year’s level
Before seasonal adjustment, initial claims totalled 163,811, up 10,243 from the previous week, slightly less than the rise of 10,475 the seasonal factors had expected. There were 180,992 initial claims in the same week of 2025, so this year’s figure is 9.5 percent lower, on our calculation.
Why it matters: On our reading, claims below 200,000 and an insured unemployment rate steady at 1.1 percent point to a labour market where layoffs remain low.
Outlook: The September employment report will give the broader picture of hiring.
Sources: US Department of Labor.
