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Jobless Claims Drop to 197,000, Lowest Since Mid-July

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 4:50 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell to 197,000, the lowest level since mid-July.
Four-week average of claims dropped 2,500 to 200,000, smoothing weekly volatility.
Employers added an average of 80,000 jobs per month this year, including 162,000 in August.
FactSet forecasters expect September’s jobs report to show 90,000 new jobs and a 4.1% unemployment rate.

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Story summary

U.S. Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell to 197,000, the lowest level since mid-July.
Four-week average of claims dropped 2,500 to 200,000, smoothing weekly volatility.
Employers added an average of 80,000 jobs per month this year, including 162,000 in August.
FactSet forecasters expect September’s jobs report to show 90,000 new jobs and a 4.1% unemployment rate.