US initial jobless claims rose 12k to 211k in the week ending May 9, coming in slightly above expectations of 205k and signaling some modest cooling in labor market conditions. The four-week moving average of initial claims, which helps smooth weekly volatility, also edged higher by 750 to 203.75k.
Continuing claims increased by 24k to 1.782m in the week ending May 2, suggesting unemployed workers are taking slightly longer to find new jobs. Still, the broader trend remains relatively stable, with the four-week moving average of continuing claims dipping slightly to 1.781m.
| Indicator | Previous | Latest | Expectation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Jobless Claims | 199k | 211k | 205k |
| Initial Claims 4-Week Average | 203k | 203.75k | |
| Continuing Claims | 1.758m | 1.782m | |
| Continuing Claims 4-Week Average | 1.788m | 1.781m |
