US: Weekly Initial Jobless Claims jump to 261K, highest level since October 2021


  • Initial Jobless Claims in the US rose by 28,000 in the week ending June 3, to the highest level since October 2021. 
  • Continuing Jobless Claims decreased by 37,000 in the week ending May 27, to the lowest since February. 
  • US Dollar Index drops to fresh daily lows after report. 

Initial Jobless claims totaled 261,000 in the week ending June 3, the weekly data published by the US Department of Labor (DOL) showed on Thursday. The print follows the previous week's 233,000 and came in above market expectations of 235,000. It is the highest reading since October 2021. 

“The 4-week moving average was 237,250, an increase of 7,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 229,500 to 229,750”, the DOL added in its press release. 

Continuing Claims declined by 37,000 in the week ended May 27 to 1.757 million below market estimates of 1.8 million. It is the lowest reading since February. The 4-week moving average was 1.784 million a decrease of 12K from the previous week's average.

Market reaction: 

The US Dollar Index extended its losses after the report, falling to fresh daily lows below 103.70. The EUR/USD rose towards 1.0750, and the USD/JPY dropped further below 139.50.
 

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD declines toward 1.1700 after US data

EUR/USD declines toward 1.1700 after US data

EUR/USD comes under modest selling pressure and declines toward 1.1700 on Thursday. The better-than-expected weekly Initial Jobless Claims data supports the USD and weighs on the pair, while markets await clarity on the EU-US trade relations. 

Crypto market sees $500 million in liquidation as Bitcoin hit record highs amid dovish Fed minutes

Crypto market sees $500 million in liquidation as Bitcoin hit record highs amid dovish Fed minutes

Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $111,999 on Wednesday amid dovish Fed minutes, fueling wider market optimism. CoinGlass data shows that over $500 million in leveraged positions were liquidated across crypto markets in the past 24 hours.

GBP/USD falls to 1.3550 region on renewed USD strength

GBP/USD falls to 1.3550 region on renewed USD strength

GBP/USD stays on the back foot and falls toward 1.3550 following a short-lasting recovery attempt in the European morning. The cautious market stance and upbeat Jobless Claims data help the US Dollar (USD) hold its ground and doesn't allow the pair to gain traction as focus remains on US tariff news.

Gold holds above $3,300 but struggles to attract buyers

Gold holds above $3,300 but struggles to attract buyers

Gold holds above $3,300 on Thursday but struggles to build on Wednesday's gains. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield stabilizes near 4.35% following the previous day's sharp decline, making it difficult for XAU/USD to push higher.

New US tariffs target Asia, but some countries stand to gain

New US tariffs target Asia, but some countries stand to gain

President Trump’s new tariffs are higher than expected for most Asian economies. Moreover, most countries will face additional tariff rates on transshipments. The new announcements are silent on Singapore, India and the Philippines, which might stand to benefit from tariff concessions if negotiations progress favourably.

Best Brokers for EUR/USD Trading

Best Brokers for EUR/USD Trading

SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures

Best Brokers of 2025