US weekly Initial Jobless Claims decline to 209K vs. 225K expected

• Initial Jobless Claims in the US decreased by 24K in the week ending November 18.
• Continuing Jobless Claims declined to 1.84 million in the week ending November 11.
• US Dollar Index advances to 103.70 after Claims and Durable Goods Orders. 

Initial Jobless Claims totaled 209,000 in the week ending November 18, the weekly data published by the US Department of Labor (DOL) showed on Thursday. It is the lowest reading in five weeks. This follows the previous week’s print of 233,000 (revised from 231,000) and came in better than the market expectation of 225,000.

Continuing claims decreased by 22,000 in the week ending November 11 to 1.84 million. It is the first decline after rising for eight consecutive weeks. 

Market reaction

Alongside the Jobless Claims, the Durable Goods Orders were released. The US Dollar Index rose modestly, reaching levels above 103.70.