U.S. Jobless Claims Fall To 187,000, Lowest Weekly Level Since 1969
Initial U.S. jobless claims fell by 22,000 to 187,000 in the week ending July 18, 2026, the fewest weekly claims since Sept. 6, 1969.[1]
The four-week moving average of initial claims declined to 207,500.[1] Continuing claims for the week ending July 11 were just under 1.8 million.[1]
Economists had forecast 215,000 new claims, so the reading beat expectations.[1] The figures arrive as oil prices sit above $91 per barrel and gasoline has climbed back over $4 a gallon amid the Iran conflict.[1] The low claims signal sustained strength in the labor market even as higher energy costs add inflationary pressure for consumers and policymakers.
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📌 Key Facts
- In the week ending July 18, 2026, initial jobless claims fell by 22,000 to 187,000, the fewest since the week ending Sept. 6, 1969.
- The four-week moving average of initial claims declined to 207,500, and continuing claims for the week ending July 11 were just under 1.8 million.
- Economists had forecast 215,000 new claims, and the figures come amid oil prices above $91 per barrel and gasoline back over $4 a gallon due to the Iran conflict.
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July 23, 2026