US Initial Jobless Claims Rise as Expected in Week Ended March 21

08:38 AM EDT, 03/26/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US initial jobless claims rose to a level of 210,000 in the week ended March 21 from a 205,000 level in the previous week, as expected in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET.

The four-week moving average fell by 250 to 210,500 after decreasing by 750 to a level of 210,750 in the previous week, a fourth straight decline.

Insured jobless claims declined by 32,000 to 1,819,000 in the employment survey week ended March 14, which is the lowest level since the week ended May 25, 2024.

Insured claims were at a level of 1,827,000 in the survey week ended Feb. 14

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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