Initial jobless claims fell to 224k (-13k WoW) in the week ending December 13, remaining near recent ranges and roughly in line with last year’s level.

• Initial claims (SA) declined to 224,000 from 237,000 (-13,000 WoW) and were slightly above the prior-year level of 222,000, indicating a modest week-to-week improvement.

• Initial claims (NSA) dropped to 255,012 (-59,903 WoW) from 314,915, moving closer to the comparable week last year (252,071) after a seasonal surge.

• The 4 week moving average of initial claims (SA) edged up to 217,500 (+500 WoW), suggesting little change in the underlying trend.

• Insured unemployment (SA) rose to 1.897M (+67,000 WoW) for the week ending December 6, modestly above the prior-year level of 1.862M.

• Insured unemployment (NSA) declined to 1.882M (-75,048 WoW) but remained higher than the same week last year (1.864M), reflecting seasonal dynamics.

• The insured unemployment rate (SA) held at 1.2% (unchanged WoW), while the NSA rate eased to 1.2% (-0.1 ppt WoW), indicating stable benefit usage overall.

• Federal program claims increased WoW, with UCFE filings rising to 1,091 (+448) and newly discharged veteran claims (UCX) increasing to 394 (+171), both above the prior week but near or below year-ago levels.