US initial jobless claims fell -4k to 217k in the week ending July 19, below expectations of 227k, while the 4-week moving average dropped -5k to 224.5k.

• Not seasonally adjusted (NSA) initial claims declined -45.3k to 215.8k, compared to 225.8k a year ago.
• Continued claims rose +4k to 1.955 million for the week ending July 12; the insured unemployment rate held steady at 1.3%.
• The 4-week average of continued claims edged down -2.25k to 1.954 million.
• Federal employee (UCFE) claims rose +193 to 789, up from 474 in the same week last year.

• New York reported 10k claims in the week of July 12th with layoffs across several industries.