TOTAL VOLUME:
$134.3b
24H VOL:
$121,875,814
24H TRANSACTIONS:
2,403,290,006
OPEN INTEREST:
$1,437,844,306
405,535
Markets across
30,523
events
MATCHED EVENTS:
2,681
PLATFORM COVERAGE:
5
Polymarket:
39%
VS.
Kalshi:
61%
Closed: Aug 20, 8:25 AM EST
Kalshi
Initial jobless claims measure the number of people applying for unemployment benefits during a specific week, offering insight into employment trends and economic health. Tracking these claims helps analysts gauge the labor market's condition and anticipate potential economic shifts. The week ending August 15, 2026, will be closely watched to assess underlying employment dynamics.
This set of markets collectively evaluates the volume of initial jobless claims reported for the week ending August 15, 2026, with successive thresholds starting at 180,000 and increasing in increments of 5,000 up to 230,000. Each market resolves to 'Yes' if the officially reported figure meets or exceeds its specific threshold, with higher thresholds representing progressively more stringent conditions. The structure allows participants to bet on various levels of labor market stress, reflecting a spectrum of possible economic outcomes for that week. All markets share the same reporting date and underlying data source, ensuring consistency across the range of outcome possibilities.
Compared to traditional analyst forecasts, this market often reflects a more immediate, aggregated view of market participants' expectations. While analysts may provide detailed economic models and projections, traders adjust prices based on real-time data, sentiment, and emerging economic indicators. This can lead to divergence, where this market prices a different probability than consensus analyst predictions, especially ahead of key economic releases or unexpected events.
This market resolves around Aug 20, 2026, with the outcome confirmed once the event is verifiable from credible public reporting. The final settlement will reflect the official initial jobless claims figure for the week ending August 15, 2026, as reported by the relevant government agency. Traders will see the market settle based on that verified number, with no further adjustment after the resolution date.
Key signals that could move this market include upcoming employment reports, economic indicators such as manufacturing PMI or consumer sentiment indices, geopolitical developments affecting labor markets, and any unexpected policy announcements from central banks. Major surprises in prior week revisions or significant media coverage of labor market trends can also cause rapid shifts in trader sentiment and market pricing before Aug 20, 2026.