Initial Claims

Returns initial unemployment claims (first-time filings for unemployment benefits) in thousands. This is a key weekly indicator of labor market health.

Data Details

Attribute Value
Source Department of Labor / FRED
Frequency Weekly (released Thursdays)
Unit Thousands of claims
Seasonality Seasonally adjusted

Notes

  • Lower claims generally indicate a healthier labor market
  • One of the most timely economic indicators available
  • Watch for trends rather than single week readings due to volatility

Examples

=InitialCliams()
Current initial claims in thousands
=InitialCliams()*1000
Convert to actual number of claims
=InitialCliams()/LaborForce()*100
Claims as percentage of labor force

When to Use

  • Tracking labor market health weekly
  • Identifying recession signals
  • Economic forecasting
  • Analyzing employment trends

When NOT to Use

Scenario Use Instead
Need total employment EmployeesNonfarm()
Need layoffs data LayoffsDischarges()
Need labor force size LaborForce()
Need hiring data Hires()

Common Issues & FAQ

Q: What unit is the result in? A: Thousands of claims.

Q: When is this data released? A: Weekly, every Thursday morning.

Q: Why is the function name spelled "Cliams"? A: This is the historical function name; it refers to unemployment claims.

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