Initial jobless claims in the United States increased modestly by 5,000 to 210,000 for the week ending March 21, compared to 205,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported. Despite the uptick, the four-week moving average edged down by 250 to 210,500, indicating relative stability in the labor market.
Meanwhile, continuing claims—a measure of individuals receiving unemployment benefits—declined by 32,000 to 1.819 million for the week ending March 14, marking the lowest level since late May 2024. The four-week average for continuing claims also dipped slightly to 1.847 million, the lowest since early October 2024.
The insured unemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.2%, holding steady at this level since late November 2025, reflecting ongoing resilience in employment conditions.