US jobless claims fall to 1960s low, signaling job market resilience and reinforcing Fed's inflation focus

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the first time unexpectedly dropped last week to its lowest level since the 1960s. Initial jobless claims for the week ending July 18, 2026, fell to 187,000, indicating continued resilience in the U.S. job market. This stability reinforces the Federal Reserve's focus on containing inflationary pressures, which remain above its 2% target, with market expectations pricing in a possible rate hike in September.