The number of people applying for unemployment benefits for the first time in the United States was recorded at 199,000 in the week ending August 1. This represented an increase of 1,000 claims from the previous week.
Claims had been expected to reach 203,000 this week. The previous week's figure was also revised from 197,000 to 198,000.
Four-week average falls to 198,750
The four-week average of initial unemployment claims fell by 4,500 from the previous week to 198,750.
Continuing unemployment claims increased by 24,000 in the week ending July 25, reaching 1.801 million.