Microsoft (MSFT.O): Azure West US region has experienced intermittent connectivity outages and increased latency since 14:44 UTC on July 23. Microsoft is actively investigating network connectivity and traffic-routing anomalies tied to the issue's start time.

U.S. initial jobless claims fell 22,000 to 187,000 in the week ended July 18, below the 212,000 consensus, the U.S. Labor Department said on Thursday. The report is the latest sign the labor market remains stable. The unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 4.2% in June, a one-year low, a decline driven more by a shrinking labor force than by payroll gains. Limited labor supply, slow job creation and few layoffs have kept unemployment at historically low levels. That dynamic is keeping Fed officials focused on suppressing inf that remains well above the Fed's 2% target.

Australia June full-time employment +29.3k, prior +5.2k.