US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 206,000 in the employment survey week ended Aug. 15 from an upwardly revised 212,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a level of 210,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET.
Initial claims were at a level of 189,000 in the employment survey week ended July 18.
The four-week moving average rose by 4,250 to 204,000 after increasing by 750 to a level of 199,750 in the previous week.
Insured jobless claims increased by 18,000 to 1,799,000 in the week ended Aug. 8.
The weekly initial jobless claims data released by the US Labor Department measures filings for unemployment insurance benefits. Initial filings are reported through the previous Saturday, while those already on benefits are measured with a one-week lag.
A decrease in claims suggests a stronger labor market, a positive for the US economy and stocks, but a negative for bonds as it suggests wage growth that could lead to inflation.