U.S. initial unemployment claims 231,000…below expectations

JOON HYOUNG LEE

Summary

Last week, U.S. initial unemployment claims were 231,000, below the market forecast (241,000).
Continuing unemployment claims were also 1,920,000, about 30,000 fewer than the market estimate.
Experts said they are closely watching employment indicators such as unemployment claims and monitoring the U.S. labor market situation.

Last week, U.S. initial unemployment claims came in below market expectations.

The U.S. Department of Labor said on the 18th (local time) that initial unemployment claims for last week were 231,000. This figure is 10,000 fewer than the experts' forecast (241,000). Compared with the previous week's revised figure (264,000), it is 33,000 fewer.

Continuing unemployment claims, counting those claiming benefits for two consecutive weeks, were 1,920,000. That is 7,000 fewer than the previous week's revised figure (1,927,000). Compared with the market estimate (1,950,000), it is 30,000 fewer.

Initial unemployment claims are an indicator that can gauge overheating in the U.S. labor market. An increase in unemployment claims can be interpreted to mean an overheated labor market is cooling.

Experts are watching employment indicators such as unemployment claims to assess the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies on corporate decision-making.

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