Initial jobless claims (SA)Seasonally adjustedRevised
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration · weekly · 3,118 observations
3,044th highest of 3,118 weeks since Jan 7, 1967 (tied with 3 weeks; DOL weekly SA history since 1967)
−1.0% vs prior week−15.5% vs a year earlier
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
About this series
What it measures
The number of first claims for state unemployment insurance filed in a week, seasonally adjusted. The Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration publishes it every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET for the week ending the previous Saturday. The headline is the advance seasonally adjusted count, shown alongside a four-week moving average.
Why it matters
It is the most frequent official read on layoffs. The Labor Department describes it as an indication of emerging labor market conditions.
Common misreads
The latest week is an advance figure and is revised the following week. The department notes weekly administrative data are hard to seasonally adjust, so single weeks can be volatile. Claims count filings, not everyone who lost a job; many people who lose work never file.