Jobless Claims Up to Two-Month High of 268K in February

February 5, 2026 — Initial jobless claims rose to 268,000, the highest in nearly two months, according to the Department of Labor, seasonally adjusted. This follows a 253,000 report for the prior week, exceeding expectations. The four-week moving average, a key indicator of labor market trends, was 258,250, up 5,000 from 253,250 in the prior week. The increase reflects ongoing pressure on the labor market and may prompt further Fed policy considerations, with the central bank's next meeting scheduled for February 20–21, 2026.