US New Unemployment Claims Fall to 217,000, Marking Six Consecutive Weeks of Decline

The U.S. Department of Labor announced on July 24 (local time) that the number of new unemployment benefit claims for the past week (July 13?19) was 217,000, a decrease of 4,000 compared to the previous week. This marks a decline for six consecutive weeks since mid-June.

The number of new unemployment benefit claims in the United States is the lowest in three months. The figure previously reached 216,000 during the week of April 6?12. It also came in below the expert forecast of 227,000 compiled by Dow Jones.

The number of continuing unemployment benefit claims, referring to those who have applied for benefits for two weeks or more, was recorded at 1,955,000 for the week of July 6?12. This represents an increase of 4,000 from the previous week.