US jobless claims plunge 10.5% to 187,000, hitting 52-week low
MarketsFN Data Team
Initial jobless claims dropped sharply to 187,000 last week, down 22,000 (-10.5%) from the previous week's 209,000, signaling continued tightness in the labor market.
The latest figure sits well below the 3-month (211,857), 1-year (218,170), and 5-year averages (220,510), and matches the 52-week low of 187,000 while remaining far from the 52-week high of 259,000, underscoring persistent labor market strength.
The 4-week moving average fell to 207,500, continuing its downward trajectory and reinforcing the trend of historically low layoffs as employers hold onto workers amid ongoing labor shortages.
Continued claims edged down slightly to 1,796,000, a 0.1% weekly decline, suggesting unemployed workers are finding new positions at a steady pace without prolonged reliance on benefits.
Key Statistics at a Glance
| Latest (week ending) | July 18, 2026 |
| Initial claims | 187,000 |
| WoW change | ▼ 22,000 (-10.5%) |
| 4-week moving avg | 207,500 |
| 3-month avg | 211,857 (-11.7% vs current) |
| 1-year avg | 218,170 (-14.3% vs current) |
| 5-year avg | 220,510 (-15.2% vs current) |
| 52-week high | 259,000 |
| 52-week low | 187,000 |
| Continued claims | 1,796,000 |
| Continued claims WoW | -2,000 (-0.1%) |
| Signal | Tight |
