International
US Initial Jobless Claims Fall More Than Expected in Week Ended April 11
US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 207,000 in the week ended April 11 from a downwardly revised 218,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a smaller decrease to 213,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET.The four-week moving average rose by 500 to 209,750 after increasing by 1,250 to a level of 209,250 in the previous week.Insured jobless claims rose by 31,000 to 1,818,000 in the week ended April 4, but the four-week moving average fell by 8,250 to 1,813,250, the lowest level since the week ended June 1, 2024.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.