US jobless claims fell to 189k in week ended Apr 25, 2026, the lowest in 26 weeks

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits were 189,000 (seasonally adjusted) in the week ended Apr 25, 2026, down 26,000 from the previous week's figure as published in this release, the Labor Department said.

• Initial claims 189,000 (−26,000 w/w)
• Four-week average 207,500
• Continuing claims 1,785,000 (week ended Apr 18, 2026)
• Lowest weekly level in 26 weeks