The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 203,000 in the week ending August 22, the Labor Department reported on Thursday.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected claims to rise to 208,000. The latest figure marks a modest decline from the prior week's revised level of 207,000 and keeps claims within the 189,000–230,000 range observed throughout 2026.
The four-week moving average, which smooths volatility, fell by 1,750 to 207,750, reflecting a gradual easing in layoffs despite ongoing economic uncertainty.
The data follows a Labor Department report last week showing the U.S. unemployment rate edged down to 4.1% in July, a historically low level that underscores continued tightness in the labor market.
The figures arrive as inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target for 65 consecutive months, complicating the central bank's policy calculus. Separately, the U.S. goods trade deficit widened to $118.8 billion in July, up from $101.4 billion in June, as exports fell 2.9% and imports rose 3.7%.
