U.S. Jobless Claims Edge Higher, Insured Unemployment Holds

For the week ending March 15, seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims increased to 223,000, reflecting a 2,000 rise from the previous week.

The prior week's total was revised up by 1,000, from 220,000 to 221,000. Additionally, the four-week moving average climbed to 227,000, marking an increase of 750 from the revised 226,250 recorded the previous week (previously reported as 226,000).

Insured Unemployment Rate Remains Unchanged

For the week ending March 8, the seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate remained at 1.2%, showing no change from the previous week. The number of individuals receiving continued unemployment benefits rose by 33,000, reaching 1,892,000. However, the previous week's figure underwent a downward revision of 11,000, bringing it from 1,870,000 to 1,859,000.

Slight Increase in the Four-Week MA for Insured Unemployment

The four-week moving average for insured unemployment rose to 1,875,750, reflecting an increase of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average of 1,869,500 (originally reported as 1,872,250).

Source: U.S. Department of Labor