US Initial Jobless Claims Decline in Week Ended Sept. 19

08:40 AM EDT, 09/24/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 197,000 in the week ended Sept. 19 from an upwardly revised 198,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 200,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg. The four-week moving average fell by 1,750 to 202,250 after decreasing by 2,250 to a level of 204,000 in the previous week. Insured jobless claims increased by 2,000 to 1,719,000 in the employment survey week ended Sept. 12. Insured claims were at a level of 1,771,000 in the employment survey week ended Aug. 15. The weekly initial jobless claims data released by the US Labor Department measures filings for unemployment insurance benefits. Initial filings are reported through the previous Saturday, while those already on benefits are measured with a one-week lag. A decrease in claims suggests a stronger labor market, a positive for the US economy and stocks, but a negative for bonds as it suggests wage growth that could lead to inflation.