US Initial Jobless Claims Reverse in Week Ended Dec. 13

08:39 AM EST, 12/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 224,000 in the employment survey week ended Dec. 13 after rising to an upwardly revised 237,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a decrease to 225,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

Initial claims were at a level of 222,000 in the employment survey week ended Nov. 15.

The four-week moving average rose by 500 to 217,500 after rising by 2,250 to a level of 217,000 in the previous week.

Insured jobless claims rose by 67,000 to 1,897,000 in the week ended Dec. 6.

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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