U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Fall to 187,000, Lowest Since September 1969

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, initial jobless claims for the week ended July 18 fell 22,000 to 187,000, the lowest level since September 1969, with a drop larger than any seen in the past three months. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected 210,000 claims; Reuters estimates had pointed to a slight increase to 212,000.

Continuing jobless claims dropped to 1.796 million for the week ended July 11, the lowest in six weeks, indicating limited corporate layoffs despite moderate job creation growth.