US initial jobless claims rose +1k to 218k (SA) for the week ending July 26, while the 4-week moving average fell -3.5k to 221k, suggesting continued stability in the labor market.

• Initial claims (NSA) dropped -22.9k to 193.1k, compared to 216.6k a year earlier.
• Insured unemployment (SA) was unchanged at 1.946 million for the week ending July 19; the 4-week average fell -2.5k to 1.949 million.
• The insured unemployment rate (SA) held steady at 1.3% for the third straight week.
• Federal employee (UCFE) claims declined -67 to 722, still well above the 387 level from the same week last year.

• Kentucky reports almost 5k layoffs in the manufacturing industry in the week of July 19th.