US Unemployment Claims Fall Below Expectations
In the third week of September, unemployment benefit claims across the US came in below market forecasts and recorded a decline.
The number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits in the US fell to 197,000 in the week ending September 19, remaining below market expectations.
Change in Weekly Application Numbers
The number of people filing for first-time unemployment benefits in the US decreased by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 197,000 in the week ending September 19. Market expectations for this period were that claims would be 221,000.
Revisions to Previous Week's Data
The initial unemployment claims figure for the previous week was revised from 196,000 to 198,000. Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of initial claims decreased by 1,750 to stand at 202,250.
Insured Unemployment Rate and Continuing Claims
The insured unemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.1 percent in the week ending September 12. Continuing unemployment claims increased by 2,000 in the same week, rising to 1 million 719 thousand.