Initial jobless claims rose +4,000 WoW to 212,000 (SA) in the week ending Feb 21, remaining below last year’s level.

• Initial claims (SA) increased to 212,000 from 208,000 but were below 243,000 a year earlier, indicating lower filings relative to prior year.

• Initial claims (NSA) fell -16,723 WoW to 193,107 from 209,830 and were below 220,856 last year, showing a sharper unadjusted weekly decline.

• The 4-week moving average of initial claims (SA) rose +750 to 220,250 (prior: 219,500) and remained below 226,000 a year earlier, suggesting a slightly firmer short-term trend but lower YoY level.

• Insured unemployment (SA) declined -31,000 to 1,833,000 (prior: 1,864,000) and was below 1,847,000 last year, indicating fewer continuing claimants.

• Insured unemployment (NSA) fell -50,366 WoW to 2,150,580 from 2,200,946 but remained near 2,162,489 a year earlier.

• The 4-week moving average of insured unemployment (SA) increased +3,500 to 1,847,500 (prior: 1,844,000) and stayed below 1,855,250 last year.

• The insured unemployment rate held at 1.2% (SA) and 1.4% (NSA), unchanged WoW and YoY.

• Federal program claims decreased, with UCFE at 554 (-141 WoW) and UCX at 428 (-16 WoW), compared with 614 and 353 a year earlier respectively.