US Continuing Claims Fall to a Nearly Two-Year Low

Continuing US unemployment claims fell by 32,000 to 1.819 million in the week ended March 14, the lowest level in almost two years; initial claims rose 5,000 to 210,000. The mix—sharply lower continuing claims alongside a small uptick in initial claims—points to a still-tight labor market with mixed short-term dynamics and could modestly affect Fed/Treasury expectations.

Analysis

Continuing US unemployment claims fell by 32,000 to 1.819 million in the week ended March 14, the lowest level in almost two years; initial claims rose 5,000 to 210,000. The mix—sharply lower continuing claims alongside a small uptick in initial claims—points to a still-tight labor market with mixed short-term dynamics and could modestly affect Fed/Treasury expectations.