Labor Marketweekly
Initial Jobless Claims
Weekly first-time unemployment insurance claims, the highest-frequency labor indicator.
The Initial Jobless Claims is currently 219,000, last updated .
219,000
1W +7.88%1M +7.88%3M +5.29%
Updated 33d agoStatistical forecast 2026
Model-based central estimate, 68% and 95% confidence bands for Initial Jobless Claims, blended across current macro regimes.
Start here
The labor market is the backbone of the consumer economy. Rising jobless claims and a climbing unemployment rate are classic late-cycle signals that precede recessions and rate cuts. The Fed has a dual mandate, maximum employment and stable prices, so labor data directly influences the path of monetary policy.
Updated 33d ago
Recent Data
Download CSV| Date | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 4, 2026 | 219,000 | +7.88% |
| Mar 28, 2026 | 203,000 | -3.79% |
| Mar 21, 2026 | 211,000 | +2.93% |
| Mar 14, 2026 | 205,000 | -3.76% |
| Mar 7, 2026 | 213,000 | -0.47% |
| Feb 28, 2026 | 214,000 | +1.42% |
| Feb 21, 2026 | 211,000 | +1.44% |
| Feb 14, 2026 | 208,000 | -9.57% |
| Feb 7, 2026 | 230,000 | +0.00% |
| Jan 31, 2026 | 230,000 | +9.00% |
| Jan 24, 2026 | 211,000 | +0.48% |
| Jan 17, 2026 | 210,000 | +4.48% |
| Jan 10, 2026 | 201,000 | -2.90% |
| Jan 3, 2026 | 207,000 | +1.97% |
| Dec 27, 2025 | 203,000 | -5.58% |
| Dec 20, 2025 | 215,000 | -4.02% |
| Dec 13, 2025 | 224,000 | -4.68% |
| Dec 6, 2025 | 235,000 | +8.80% |
| Nov 29, 2025 | 216,000 | -0.92% |
| Nov 22, 2025 | 218,000 | -1.80% |
| Nov 15, 2025 | 222,000 | -2.63% |
| Nov 8, 2025 | 228,000 | +0.00% |
| Nov 1, 2025 | 228,000 | +3.17% |
| Oct 25, 2025 | 221,000 | — |
Related in Labor Market
Unemployment Rate (U3)
Headline unemployment rate, percentage of the labor force without jobs.
Underemployment Rate (U6)
Broadest unemployment measure including discouraged and part-time workers.
Initial Claims 4-Week MA
Smoothed jobless claims average, removes weekly volatility.
Continued Claims
Ongoing unemployment insurance claims, measures difficulty of finding new work.
Explore Further
Forecast 2026
Initial Jobless Claims Outlook
Scenario-weighted forecast using regime implied approach.
Comparison
Initial Claims vs Continuing Claims
Initial Jobless Claims (FRED ICSA) measures weekly first-time unemployment insurance claims, the highest-frequency labor...
Comparison
Sahm Rule vs Initial Claims
The Sahm Rule reads 0.27 percentage points in February 2026, well below the 0.50 trigger after the July 2024 cross-over ...
Comparison
Initial Jobless Claims vs S&P 500
Initial claims (FRED:ICSA) printed 222,000 for the week ending April 18, 2026, with the 4-week moving average at 207,500...
Scenario
What Happens When Initial Jobless Claims Spike?
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All Labor Market Data
Nonfarm payrolls, unemployment rate, jobless claims, and wage growth. Track the employment data that shapes Fed policy a...
Frequently Asked Questions
▶What is Initial Jobless Claims?
Weekly first-time unemployment insurance claims, the highest-frequency labor indicator.
▶How does Initial Jobless Claims relate to labor market?
Initial Jobless Claims is part of the Labor Market category. The labor market is the backbone of the consumer economy. Rising jobless claims and a climbing unemployment rate are classic late-cycle signals that precede recessions and rate cuts. The Fed has a dual mandate, maximum employment and stable prices, so labor data directly influences the path of monetary policy.
▶How often is Initial Jobless Claims updated?
Initial Jobless Claims is updated weekly, typically on the same day each week. Each metric page on Convex shows the exact time of the last data update and provides historical data going back up to five years.
▶Where does Convex source Initial Jobless Claims data?
Convex sources Initial Jobless Claims data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) API, maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Data is fetched automatically and displayed alongside interactive charts, AI analysis, and historical context.
▶What can I do on the Initial Jobless Claims chart page?
The Initial Jobless Claims page includes an interactive chart with selectable time ranges (1 month to 5 years), percentage changes over multiple timeframes, a table of recent readings, AI-generated analysis, and links to related metrics and comparisons.
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Data sourced from FRED, CoinGecko, CBOE, CFTC, and EIA. Updated weekly. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.