Vi e w p o i n t | 30 Jul 2026 10:24:40 ET │ 8 pages US Economics Trend, not level, of initial claims more important CITI'S TAKE Initial jobless claims rebounded to 197k the week of July 25 from a very low 188k the week prior. While the level of initial claims is very low and suggestive of still-low layoffs, we think the trend of claims is more important this year. Recently declining initial claims is very similar to patterns last year, and could mean a stronger increase in employment in July data next Frid ...