Initial Jobless Claims’ Streak Hits First Since 1969 - TheStreet Pro

An average of initial claims fell to its lowest since September 2022 and one for continuing claims fell to its lowest since April 2023. After bottoming at 189,000 in mid-July — the lowest reading since 1969 — initial jobless claims have barely budged, this week easing 2,000 to 197,000 in the week through October 3rd (from a revised 199,000 the prior week). That keeps them below 200,000 for a fourth straight week for the first time since 1969, only the tenth week below 200,000 since then (all post-pandemic), leaving claims near cycle lows at the bottom of the relatively narrow range that has held since November 2021. The four-week average fell 2,500 to 198,000 (roughly 29,500 lower year-over-year), the lowest since September 2022.