Initial jobless claims in the United States rose to 209,000 for the week ended August 8, up 9,000 from the prior week, exceeding economists’ expectations of roughly 202,000. Three weeks earlier, claims had dropped to 187,000, their lowest level since September 1969. The four-week moving average held steady at 199,000, while continuing claims fell by 22,000 to 1.777 million. These figures come after a disappointing July employment report showing a decline of 23,000 in nonfarm payrolls. At 209,000, weekly claims remain far from levels historically associated with recession, which typically exceed 250,000 to 300,000.
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