Initial Claims (ICSA)
Initial Claims — Historical Chart
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Initial Claims (FRED series ICSA) is a weekly employment indicator measured in number. The series is published through FRED, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis economic database, with history going back to 1967. Values are seasonally adjusted, smoothing out predictable calendar effects so that underlying trends are easier to see.
Why it matters: Initial Claims is one of the indicators traders, economists, and policymakers watch within the employment complex. Labor market data like this shapes expectations for consumer spending, wage growth, and the Federal Reserve’s employment mandate.
How to read it: focus on the direction and persistence of changes rather than any single weekly print. Comparing the latest value against its level a year ago, and against its long-run range since 1967, gives a better sense of whether the series is signaling acceleration, deceleration, or a turning point.
About This Series
An initial claim is a claim filed by an unemployed individual after a separation from an employer. The claim requests a determination of basic eligibility for the Unemployment Insurance program.
Recent Data
| Date | Value (Number) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2026 | 225,000 | +10,000 |
| May 23, 2026 | 215,000 | +6,000 |
| May 16, 2026 | 209,000 | -2,000 |
| May 9, 2026 | 211,000 | +11,000 |
| May 2, 2026 | 200,000 | +11,000 |
| April 25, 2026 | 189,000 | -25,000 |
| April 18, 2026 | 214,000 | +7,000 |
| April 11, 2026 | 207,000 | -12,000 |
| April 4, 2026 | 219,000 | +16,000 |
| March 28, 2026 | 203,000 | -8,000 |
| March 21, 2026 | 211,000 | +6,000 |
| March 14, 2026 | 205,000 | -8,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Initial Claims today?
The latest value of Initial Claims (ICSA) is shown at the top of this page, along with its observation date and the change from the prior reading. Data is sourced from FRED and refreshed regularly.
How often is Initial Claims updated?
Initial Claims is reported weekly (Weekly, Ending Saturday). New observations appear on FRED shortly after the source agency releases them, and this page updates daily.
What does a rising Initial Claims mean?
A sustained rise in Initial Claims signals strengthening readings in this employment measure, in number. Whether that is positive or negative for markets depends on context — compare the move against the series’ trend and related indicators in the same category.
Where does the ICSA data come from?
The data comes from FRED® (Federal Reserve Economic Data), maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, under series ID ICSA. History is available back to 1967.
Related Employment Indicators
Data sourced from FRED®, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Initial Claims (ICSA). Retrieved from fred.stlouisfed.org. Last updated June 4, 2026.