New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of July 11, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on July 11, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 215,000

• Actual: 208,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 216,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 214,250

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for JUNE 2026

The National Federation of Independent Business® (NFIB®) released its Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for June, 2026:
=========

Predicted: 97.0

• Actual: 97.4

----------------

• Change from Previous Month: +2.2% (+2.1 point.)

• Change from A Year Ago: -1.22% (-1.2 points.)

=========

CHART: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index

JUNE 2026 Update 

=========

• The baseline "100" score is associated with 1986 survey data.
  

=========

 

From the Report:

 

"...CREDIT MARKETS

In June, the net percent of owners expecting easier credit conditions fell 2 points to a net -5% (seasonally adjusted). A net 3% reported their last loan was harder to get than in previous attempts, down 1 point from May. 

In June, a net 5% of owners reported paying a higher interest rate on their most recent loan, down 1 point from May.

The average interest rate paid on short-maturity loans was 7.4% in June, down 0.4 points from May and the lowest level since October 2022. Twenty-two percent of all owners reported borrowing regularly, down 5 points from May.

June’s reading is 12 points below the historical average of 34%.

INFLATION

The net percent of owners raising average selling prices rose 2 points from May to a net 38% (seasonally adjusted). This is the fourth consecutive month that actual price increases have risen, marking the highest level since January 2023. Actual price increases are well above the historical average of net 14%. Unadjusted, 47% reported higher average prices (up 1 point), and 7% reported lower average selling prices (unchanged). Whileactual price increases rose in June, the share of owners planning to raise prices in the near future declined. Looking forward to the next three months, a net 32% (seasonally adjusted) plan to increase prices, down 2points from May’s highest reading since July 2022. Reports of inflation as the single most important problem rose for the fourth consecutive month in June. Twenty-one percent of business owners cited inflation as their single most important business problem, up 3 points from May and marking the highest reading since October 2024. Inflation ranks as the top problem..."

=========

• Previous Month's SBOI: 95.3

• SBOI, 12-Months Previous: 98.6

=========

• Click here to view the full NFIB report

=========

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Employment Situation Report for JUNE 2026

The Employment Situation Report for June, 2026 was released by The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

Nonfarm Payrolls (month-to-month change)
Actual: +57,000

Previous Month (revised): +129,000

One-Year Previous: -20,000

U-3 Unemployment Rate (Headline)
Actual: 4.2%
Previous Month: 4.3%
12-Months Previous: 4.1%

U-6 Unemployment Rate*
Actual: 7.9%
Previous Month: 8.1%
12-Months Previous: 7.7%

Average Hourly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +0.3%
Actual: +0.35% (+$0.13)

Average Hourly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Predicted: +3.5%
Actual: +3.52% (+$1.28)

Average Weekly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Actual: +0.35% (+$4.46)

Average Weekly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Actual: +3.82% (+$47.54)

Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.5%
Previous Month: 61.8%
12-Months Previous: 62.3%

Average Weekly Hours: 34.3 hours
Previous Month: 34.3 hours
One-Year Previous: 34.2 hours

Economist, academics, central bankers and investors pay very close attention to the monthly Employment Situation report as it offers penetrating insight as to the current and near-future state of the overall U.S. economy. If a) Americans are earning more money and b) the economy is creating new jobs, this typically translates to more money being pumped into the economy (and vice versa.)

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

===================

CHART: Civilian Unemployment Rate

JUNE 2006 thru JUNE 2026

   ===================

 

 * =  The U-6 Unemployment Rate is defined as:

"Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force."

===================

• Click here to view the full Department of Labor report.

===================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of July 4, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on July 4, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 220,000

• Actual: 215,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 217,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 218,750

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of June 27, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on June 27, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 220,000

• Actual: 215,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 216,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 222,000

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of June 13, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on June 13, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 224,000

• Actual: 226,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 230,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 223,250

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of June 6, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on June 6, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 220,000

• Actual: 229,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (unrevised): 225,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 219,000

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for MAY 2026

The National Federation of Independent Business® (NFIB®) released its Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for May, 2026:
=========

Predicted: 95.0

• Actual: 95.3

----------------

• Change from Previous Month: -0.63% (-0.6 point.)

• Change from A Year Ago: -3.54% (-3.5 points.)

=========

CHART: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index

MAY 2026 Update 

=========

• The baseline "100" score is associated with 1986 survey data.
  

=========

 

From the Report:

 

"...CREDIT MARKETS

In May, the net percent of owners expecting easier credit conditions rose 1 point to a net -3% (seasonally adjusted). A net 4% reported their last loan was harder to get than in previous attempts, up 1 point from April. In May, a net 6% of owners reported paying a higher interest rate on their most recent loan, up 4 points from April. The average interest rate paid on short-maturity loans was 7.8% in May, down 0.5 points from April. Twenty-seven percent of all owners reported borrowing regularly, up 5 points from April’s lowest level since November 2021.

INFLATION

In May, reports of both actual and planned price increases rose significantly. The net percent of owners raising average selling prices rose 6 points from April to a net 36% (seasonally adjusted), marking the highest reading since March 2023. Actual price increases are well above the historical average of net 13%. Unadjusted, 46% reported higher average prices (up 5 points), and 7% reported lower average selling prices (down 1 point). Looking forward to the next three months, a net 34% (seasonally adjusted) plan to increase prices, up 7 points from April and marking the highest reading since July 2022. Reports of inflation as the single most important problem rose for the third consecutive month in May. Eighteen percent of business owners cited inflation as their single most important business problem, up 2 points from April and marking the highest reading since December 2024. Inflation ranks as the second top problem..."

=========

• Previous Month's SBOI: 95.9

• SBOI, 12-Months Previous: 98.8

=========

• Click here to view the full NFIB report

=========

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Employment Situation Report for MAY 2026

The Employment Situation Report for May, 2026 was released by The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

Nonfarm Payrolls (month-to-month change)
Actual: +172,000

Previous Month (revised): +179,000

One-Year Previous: +13,000

U-3 Unemployment Rate (Headline)
Actual: 4.3%
Previous Month: 4.3%
12-Months Previous: 4.3%

U-6 Unemployment Rate*
Actual: 8.1%
Previous Month: 8.2%
12-Months Previous: 7.8%

Average Hourly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +0.3%
Actual: +0.32 (+$0.12)

Average Hourly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Predicted: +3.5%
Actual: +3.45% (+$1.25)

Average Weekly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Actual: +0.32% (+$4.12)

Average Weekly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Actual: +3.75% (+$46.50)

Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.8%
Previous Month: 61.8%
12-Months Previous: 62.4%

Average Weekly Hours: 34.3 hours
Previous Month: 34.3 hours
One-Year Previous: 34.2 hours

Economist, academics, central bankers and investors pay very close attention to the monthly Employment Situation report as it offers penetrating insight as to the current and near-future state of the overall U.S. economy. If a) Americans are earning more money and b) the economy is creating new jobs, this typically translates to more money being pumped into the economy (and vice versa.)

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

===================

CHART: Civilian Unemployment Rate

MAY 2006 thru MAY 2026

   ===================

 

 * =  The U-6 Unemployment Rate is defined as:

"Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force."

===================

• Click here to view the full Department of Labor report.

===================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of May 30, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on May 30, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 220,000

• Actual: 225,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 212,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 214,750

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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Challenger Job Cuts Report for MAY 2026

The global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc. released its job cuts report, for MAY, 2026:

-------------------------------

Job Cuts Announced During May 2026: 97,006

• Previous Month: 83,387

  > Change from previous month: +16.33% (+13,619 cuts)

--------------

• One-Year Previous: 93,816

 > Change from one-year previous: +3.4% (+3,190 cuts)

===================

From Today's Report:

"...'The labor market is being reshaped by technology in real time. AI is now the leading reason companies give for cutting jobs and the primary industry citing it is Technology. Technology, already the year’s biggest job cutter, saw its steepest month of cuts since early 2023, even as it remains the sector with the most hiring plans this year,' said Challenger.

'On top of the headline AI story, we’re seeing a sharp rise in cuts tied to acquisitions and mergers and a jump in bankruptcy-related losses, which tells me companies are restructuring aggressively as they reposition for an AI-driven economy,' said Andy Challenger, labor and workplace expert and chief revenue officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

WHY ARE COMPANIES CUTTING?

In May, Artificial Intelligence (AI) led all reasons for job cuts for the third month in a row, with 38,579 announced cuts. It is the highest monthly total ever recorded for the reason since Challenger began tracking it in 2023, and it accounted for 40% of all cuts announced in May -- up from just 7% in January, 25% in March, and 26% in April. For the year, AI has been cited in 87,714 cuts, or 22% of all 2026 layoffs, already far surpassing the 54,836 attributed to the reason in all of 2025...."

 ================

 

If corporate layoffs are high, consumer spending may decline, since there would be fewer people with steady jobs.

When corporate layoffs are low, this can mean that the job market is relatively tight, which can be a harbinger of wage inflation. 

================

The Rise of AI-Driven Job Cuts
MAY 2026 UPDATE
Copyright © Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc. 

================

Job Cuts - Month-by-Month Totals
MAY 2026 UPDATE
Copyright © Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc.

================

• Click here to read the full Challenger, Gray and Christmas report

=================

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Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for APRIL 2026

Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS*) for April, 2026 was released by the Labor Department this morning:

=============

Job Openings

Predicted: 7,100,000

• Actual:   7,618,000

-------------------------

• Previous Month (revised): 6,887,000
  
  
• Change from Previous Month: +10.61% (+731,000)
   
  
• One-Year Previous: 7,098,000
  
  
• Change from One-Year Previous: +7.33% (+520,000)
  

=============

HIRES: 5,116,000

HIRES vs. 12-Months Previous: -5.1% (-275,000)

-----------

QUITS: 2,977,000

QUITS vs. 12-Months Previous: -5.31% (-167,000)

-----------

LAYOFFS + DISCHARGES: 1,692,000 

LAYOFFS + DISCHARGES vs. 12-Months Previous: -6.93% (-126,000)

-----------

TOTAL SEPARATIONS ^§: 4,978,000

TOTAL SEPARATIONS vs. 12-Months Previous: -5.54% (-292,000)

=============

 

§ = Here's How The Labor Department Defines Total Separations:

"Total separations includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Total separations is referred to as turnover. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations includes separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm."

=============

CHART: Number of Jobless People
per Job Opening, Seasonally Adjusted
APRIL 2011 thru APRIL 2026

=============
=============

• * = The JOLTS data series began back in December of 2000. 
  
  
• Click here to view the full Labor Department JOLTS report.
  

=============

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of May 23, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on May 23, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 212,000

• Actual: 215,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 210,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 209,000

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

===================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of May 16, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on May 16, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 210,000

• Actual: 209,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 212,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 202,500

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of May 9, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on May 9, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 210,000

• Actual: 211,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 199,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 203,750

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of May 2, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on May 2, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 201,000

• Actual: 200,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 190,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 203,250

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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Employment Situation Report for APRIL 2026

The Employment Situation Report for April, 2026 was released by The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

Nonfarm Payrolls (month-to-month change)
Actual: +115,000

Previous Month (revised): +185,000

One-Year Previous: +108,000

U-3 Unemployment Rate (Headline)
Actual: 4.3%
Previous Month: 4.3%
12-Months Previous: 4.2%

U-6 Unemployment Rate*
Actual: 8.2%
Previous Month: 8.0%
12-Months Previous: 7.8%

Average Hourly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +0.3%
Actual: +0.16% (+$0.06)

Average Hourly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Predicted: +3.5%
Actual: +3.57% (+$1.29)

Average Weekly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Actual: +0.45% (+$5.79)

Average Weekly Earnings (year-on-year change)
Actual: +3.57% (+$44.24)

Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.8%
Previous Month: 61.9%
12-Months Previous: 62.6%

Average Weekly Hours: 34.3 hours
Previous Month (revised): 34.2 hours
One-Year Previous: 34.3 hours

Economist, academics, central bankers and investors pay very close attention to the monthly Employment Situation report as it offers penetrating insight as to the current and near-future state of the overall U.S. economy. If a) Americans are earning more money and b) the economy is creating new jobs, this typically translates to more money being pumped into the economy (and vice versa.)

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

===================

CHART: Civilian Unemployment Rate

APRIL 2006 thru APRIL 2026

   ===================

 

 * =  The U-6 Unemployment Rate is defined as:

"Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force."

===================

• Click here to view the full Department of Labor report.

===================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of April 25, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on April 25, 2026:

====================
Predicted: 212,000

• Actual: 189,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 215,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 207,500

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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