U.S. weekly jobless claims rise for a second straight week, total 1.434 million

The number of Americans who filed for unemployment benefits last week was roughly in line with expectations as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the U.S. economy.

Data released by the Labor Department showed initial weekly jobless claims for the week ending July 25 came in at 1.434 million. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected claims to rise to 1.45 million.

This also marks the second consecutive week in which initial claims rose after declining for 15 straight weeks. It is also the 19th straight week in which initial claims totaled at least 1 million.

Continuing claims — which are composed of those receiving unemployment benefits for at least two straight weeks — rose by 867,000 to 17.018 million. Data on continuing claims is delayed by one week.