US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 215,000 in the week ended June 20 from a upwardly revised 227,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a smaller decrease to 225,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.
The four-week moving average increased by 750 to 224,250 after increasing by 4,250 to a level of 223,500 in the previous week.
Insured jobless claims rose by 21,000 to 1,821,000 in the employment survey week ended June 13. Insured claims were at a level of 1,785,000 in the employment survey week ended May 16.
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.