Jobless Claims

The Jobless Claims data series, is a leading Economic Indicator in the U.S. focusing on trends in unemployment. There are two sub-series, the Initial Jobless Claims and the Number of Jobless Claims.

Unemployment is an important indicator as to the strength or weakness of the economy. The Jobless Claims Series is an economic data series focusing on the trends in unemployment. Issued by the U.S. Department of Labor on a weekly basis, the Jobless Claims data series, has two subseries, Initial Jobless Claims and the Number of Jobless Claims. Initial Jobless Claims records the number of people applying for the benefit for the first time. Thus providing a week-by-week update on the latest unemployment trends. The Continuing Jobless Claims, reflects the number of people who continue to receive unemployment benefits. The level and trends of unemployment as measured by the two Jobless Claims data series are both important leading economic indicators.