First Time Jobless Claims Low And Consistent With Low Unemployment

Jobless claims remain very low and are consistent with a low unemployment rate and strong job growth. Initial claims totaled 218,000 in the June 16 week with the 4-week average down 4,000 to 221,000 and in line with the month-ago comparison.

Continuing claims, where data lag by a week, rose 22,000 to 1.723 million but this 4-week average is also down 4,000 to 1.723 million. All of these readings are at or near historic lows with the 4-week average for continuing claims the lowest since December 1973. The unemployment rate for insured workers is unchanged at a very low 1.2 percent.

There were no states or territories estimated in the week with, for the first time since the hurricane season, no disruptions cited for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.