US initial jobless claims fell -3k to 224k (vs 228k) for the week ending Aug 9, while the 4-week moving average rose +750 to 221.8k.

• Initial claims (not seasonally adjusted) increased +3.7k to 199.19k, down from 200.85k in the same week last year.
• Insured unemployment declined -15k to 1.953M for the week ending Aug 2; the 4-week average rose +500 to 1.951M.
• The insured unemployment rate (SA) held steady at 1.3% for a third consecutive week.
• Federal employee claims (UCFE) fell -71 to 637, but remained nearly double last year’s 332.