US Initial Jobless Claims Decline Less Than Expected in Week Ended Feb. 7

08:36 AM EST, 02/12/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 227,000 in the week ended Feb. 7 from an upwardly revised 232,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a larger decrease to 223,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

The four-week moving average rose by 7,000 to 219,500 after increasing by 6,250 to a level of 212,500 in the previous week.

Insured jobless claims increased by 21,000 to 1,862,000 in the week ended Jan. 31.

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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