Initial jobless claims edge down to 197,000; continuing claims rise to 1.72 million
New unemployment claims changed little. Seasonally adjusted initial claims fell by 1,000 to 197,000 in the week ending September 19, after the prior week was revised up to 198,000.
The four-week average declined by 1,750 to 202,250. Continuing claims, which move on a one-week lag, rose by 2,000 to 1.719 million after the prior level was revised down by 13,000.
The insured unemployment rate held at 1.1 percent. The release also records 163,811 unadjusted first claims, up 10,243 from the prior week but below the comparable 2025 count of 180,992.
