Initial jobless claims in the United States fell to 194,000 in the week ending 17 October, the US Department of Labor said. Market expectations had pointed to 200,000. The figure was a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week.
The previous week’s figure was revised up to 200,000 from 199,000. Initial claims were at their lowest since mid-July. The four-week moving average fell by 1,000 to 197,750.
Continuing claims rise
Continuing jobless claims, which refer to the week ending 10 October, rose by 25,000 from the prior week.
US unemployment stood at 4.2 percent in September, its highest in 31 days.
Source: US Department of Labor | Data: FRED — St. Louis Fed
