US initial jobless claims for the week ended July 17 rose by 51,000 to a total of 419,000, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the US Department of Labor. The previous week’s level was revised upward by 8,000.
MarketWatch reported the increase brought initial claims to the highest level in two months. However, the increase was concentrated in just a few states heavily engaged in automaking, it said.
The four-week moving average of claims rose by 750 in the week ended July 17 to a total of 385,250. The previous week’s average was also revised upward by 2,000.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance initial claims, which are not seasonally adjusted, rose by 13,970 to a total of 110,257. The PUA program includes self-employed workers.