Overview

• Initial jobless claims slipped 4,000 to 217,000 for the week ended July 19, compared with economists’ forecast of 226,000.
• The four-week moving average of new claims fell by 5,000 to 224,500, easing from June’s eight-month peak.
• Continuing claims increased by 4,000 to 1.955 million for the week ending July 12, indicating slower rehiring.
• Employers have prioritized retaining existing staff over expanding payrolls in the face of uncertainty over President Trump’s trade policies.
• The Federal Reserve is keeping its policy rate at 4.25%–4.50% as stable layoffs and subdued hiring sustain its focus on inflation.