US jobless claims fell to 187k in week ended Jul 18, 2026, the lowest in 26 weeks

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits were 187,000 (seasonally adjusted) in the week ended Jul 18, 2026, down 22,000 from the previous week's figure as published in this release, the Labor Department said.

• Initial claims 187,000 (−22,000 w/w)
• Four-week average 207,500
• Continuing claims 1,796,000 (week ended Jul 11, 2026)
• Lowest weekly level in 26 weeks