U.S. Jobless Claims Rise

NATIONAL REPORT—The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits edged up last week, suggesting that the labor market remains strong despite signs that economic activity is slowing.

In the week ending July 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 216,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised down by 1,000 from 209,000 to 208,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The four-week moving average was 218,750, a decrease of 250 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised down by 250 from 219,250 to 219,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2% for the week ending July 6, unchanged from the previous week’s unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending July 6 was 1,686,000, a decrease of 42,000 from the previous week’s revised level.

The previous week’s level was revised up 5,000 from 1,723,000 to 1,728,000. The four-week moving average was 1,701,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 1,250 from 1,694,750 to 1,696,000.