US jobless claims: the weekly figure
Updated 2026-09-20
What initial jobless claims are, when they're released, how to read the four-week average and why they matter for the dollar.
What it is
Every week the US Department of Labor publishes the number of people who have filed for unemployment benefits for the first time (initial claims) and those who continue to receive them (continuing claims).
When it's released
Every Thursday at 8:30 New York time. It is one of the most frequent data points and therefore one of the quickest to signal a change in the labour market.
How to read it
The weekly figure is noisy, so look at the four-week average. A persistent rise in claims signals a weakening labour market; low levels indicate a solid one.
Impact on markets
It usually moves less than the NFP, but when it differs sharply from the forecast it can shift the dollar and rate expectations, especially in the weeks before the monthly employment report.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it matter compared with the NFP?
Less, because it is weekly and noisier; but it gives a timely indication of labour trends between one NFP and the next.
Times and forecasts in the economic calendar
Check the calendar for the exact time, the forecast and the actual figure as soon as it is published.
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Educational content, not financial advice. Trading involves risk.