WASHINGTON — Initial jobless claims rose by 9,000 to 227,000 in the June 23 week, moving only slightly ahead of the tight range seen in recent weeks.
The four-week average for initial claims rose by 1,000 to 222,000, and would be expected to rise further next week, all else being equal. Even so, claims remain well below their year ago levels by every measure.
Continuing claims, at 1.705 million in the June 16 employment survey week, were down 21,000 from the previous week and down 37,000 from the level in the May 12 employment survey week, a positive for June payrolls. The four-week moving average for continuing claims fell by 3,750 to 1.720 million, again the lowest since the Dec. 8, 1973, week.
