The number of Americans continuing to receive unemployment benefits rose modestly in the latest reporting week, suggesting a slight softening in the U.S. labor market. According to data updated on 12 February 2026, U.S. continuing jobless claims increased to 1.862 million, up from the previous reading of 1.841 million.
The uptick of 21,000 claims indicates that more individuals are remaining on unemployment benefits for longer, which can be an early sign that it is becoming marginally harder for job seekers to find new positions. While the increase is relatively small, it will be closely watched by investors and policymakers as they assess the durability of the U.S. employment recovery and its implications for consumer spending and broader economic momentum.
