US Initial Jobless Claims Decline in Week Ended Nov. 22

08:41 AM EST, 11/26/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 216,000 in the week ended Nov. 22 from an upwardly revised 222,000 level in the previous week, in contrast with expectations for an increase to 225,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:40 am ET.

The four-week moving average decreased by 1,000 to 223,750 after falling by 2,500 to a level of 224,750 in the previous week.

Insured jobless claims increased by 7,000 to 1,960,000 in the employment survey week ended Nov. 15. Insured claims were at a level of 1,957,000 in the employment survey week ended Oct. 18.

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.

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