U.S. Jobless Claims Fall To 197,000, Lowest Level Since Mid-July
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, the Labor Department said initial U.S. jobless claims fell to 197,000 for the latest week, the lowest level since mid-July.[1]
The four-week moving average of claims dipped to 202,250 from 204,000 the prior week, underscoring generally subdued layoffs.[1] Employers have added an average of 80,000 jobs per month so far in 2026, including 162,000 in August.[1] Economists expect payrolls to increase by about 52,500 and the unemployment rate to hold at 4.1 percent in the September jobs report.[1]
Employers added 162,000 jobs in August, a month that was stronger than the 2026 average of 80,000 per month.[1] The steady hiring and low weekly claims suggest layoffs remain rare even as job growth has cooled from earlier, faster-paced gains.
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, September 24, 2026, the Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell to 197,000 for the latest week, the lowest since mid-July.
- The four-week average of unemployment claims declined to 202,250 from 204,000 the prior week.
- Employers have added an average of 80,000 jobs per month so far in 2026, including 162,000 in August, and economists expect 52,500 new jobs and a 4.1% unemployment rate in the September report.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time