Jobless claims dip by 3,000

[Freddie Stubbs]

Initial claims for unemployment assistance hit 334,000, a tad above estimates.
November 18, 2004: 8:38 AM EST



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits dipped to 334,000 last week, the government reported Thursday, a touch above Wall Street's estimates.

Initial claims for jobless aid fell 3,000 in the week ended Nov. 13 from a revised 337,000 the prior week, the Labor Department said. Wall Street economists had expected 333,000 claims after the initially reported 333,000 for the week ended Nov. 6, according to Briefing.com.

A department analyst said the federal government's closure in observance of the Veterans Day holiday during the week had no impact on the data.

The four-week moving average of new claims, considered a more reliable indicator because it irons out weekly volatility, rose to 338,250 from 337,250 in the previous week.

more: http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/18/news/economy/jobless.reut/?cnn=yes

[RebelYell]

1. I wish they would count

the people who have exhausted benefits and still don't have a job. That would give a clearer picture.

I'd like to see how many people who actually found a job are working for less than their former job.

[RedCloud]

3. hope this helps...!

those who are unemployed but do not count in the system include:

1. Housewives
2. Students in college
3. Underemployed part-time workers
4. Prisoners
5. Handicapped
6. the homeless
7. The too tired of no job, stopped looking group
8. Forced to retire group
9. Those working away from chosen profession
10. Disabled

and so on. I would say at least 65% of the adults in the USA. Way to go W!

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. This number isn't meant to count how many are unemployed,

it is meant to show how many lost their jobs in the last week.

[sam sarrha]

2. Remember .. they only count your once. it is First Time unemployment

[OhioChick]

5. Probably due to

"Seasonal" help. :eyes: