Updated: 23-May-19 09:10 ET
| Initial Claims for the Week Ended May 18 |
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| Updated: 23-May-19 09:10 ET |
Highlights
- Initial claims for the week ending May 18 decreased by 1,000 to 211,000 (Briefing.com consensus 218,000).
- Continuing claims for the week ending May 11 increased by 12,000 to 1.676 million.
Key Factors
- The four-week moving average for initial claims decreased by 4,750 to 220,250.
- The four-week moving average for continuing claims increased by 5,500 to 1,674,250.
- Initial claims have held below 300,000 for 220 straight weeks.
Big Picture
- The key takeaway from the report is that the low level of initial claims is consistent with a labor market that should still be producing solid nonfarm payroll gains.
| Category | May 18 | May 11 | May 4 | Apr 27 | Apr 20 |
| Initial Claims | 211K | 212K | 228K | 230K | 230K |
| 4-Wk Moving Avg | 220K | 225K | 220K | 213K | 206K |
| Continued Benefits | 1676K | 1664K | 1686K | 1671K | |
| 4-Wk Moving Avg | 1674K | 1669K | 1666K | 1674K |
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