| Source | |
| Measures | Change in the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits during the previous month; |
| Usual Effect | 'Actual' less than 'Forecast' is good for currency; |
| Frequency | Released monthly, about 16 days after the month ends; |
| Next Release | |
| FF Notes | It's the first indication of the employment situation, released a month earlier than the Unemployment Rate. Source changed series calculation formula as of Jun 2015; |
Why Traders
Care | Although it's generally viewed as a lagging indicator, the number of unemployed people is an important signal of overall economic health because consumer spending is highly correlated with labor-market conditions. Unemployment is also a major consideration for those steering the country's monetary policy; |
| Also Called | Jobless Claims, Unemployment Change; |
