New York City’s unemployment rate eased to 9.4 percent in July, and although the fall was only a tenth of a percentage point from June, it was the seventh month in a row the rate has improved.

If the pattern follows the last time the rate fell for at least seven consecutive months in November 2003, the NYC jobs rebound could continue for an additional 11 months before another downturn occurs, said Elena Volovelsky, an economist with the state Department of Labor.