US Initial Jobless Claims Rise Further in Week Ended Aug. 2

08:43 AM EDT, 08/07/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US initial jobless claims rose to a level of 226,000 in the week ended Aug. 2 from an upwardly revised 219,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a smaller increase to 222,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET.

The four-week moving average fell by 500 to 220,750 after declining to a level of 221,250 in the previous week.

Insured jobless claims rose by 38,000 to 1,974,000 in the week ended July 26, marking the highest level since the week ended Nov. 6, 2021, when it was 2,041,000.

The weekly initial jobless claims data released by the US Department of Labor 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.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.