02:17 PM EDT, 07/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Initial jobless claims decreased by 22,000 to 187,000 in the employment survey week ended July 18, the lowest level since 1969 and trimming the four-week moving average by 7,250 to 207,500, a fourth straight decrease.

Initial claims were at a level of 227,000 in the employment survey week ended June 13.

Insured claims fell by 2,000 to 1.796 million in the week ended July 11.

The Kansas City manufacturing reading fell to 9 in July from 11 in June, indicating slower expansion.

The Chicago National Activity Index showed a modest increase in June from May, though the key reading remained negative.

Natural gas stocks rose by 32 billion cubic feet to 3.056 trillion cubic feet in the week ended July 17, down 0.5% from a year earlier but 6.4% higher than the seasonal average for the current week over the previous five years.