First time US weekly jobless claims edge past forecasts

First time unemployment claims in the States rose a tad more than expected during the previous week but continued to point to still solid labour market conditions.

According to the Department of Labor, so-called initial jobless claims increased by 8,000 over the week ending on 13 July to reach 216,000.

Economists had forecast a reading of 215,000.

The four-week moving average meanwhile was little changed, dipping by 250 to 218.750.

And secondary unemployment claims, those which are not being filed for the first time and referencing the previous week, dropped by 42,000 to 1.686m.