New jobless claims jump unexpectedly to 667,000

[Roland99]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - New jobless claims rose more than expected last week and the number of laid-off Americans continuing to receive unemployment benefits topped 5.1 million, fresh evidence the recession is increasingly forcing employers to shed jobs.

The Labor Department said Thursday that first-time requests for unemployment benefits jumped to 667,000 from the previous week's figure of 631,000. Analysts had expected a slight drop in claims.

The 667,000 new claims are the most since October 1982, though the labor force has grown by about half since then.

The number of people receiving unemployment insurance for more than one week also increased more than expected to 5.1 million. That's the fifth straight week the figure has set a new record-high on data going back to 1967, and compared with only about 2.8 million people a year ago.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20090226/D96J9SJG1.html

[ixion]

1. "unexpectedly"

:eyes:

What the hell planet are the people who didn't expect this living on? :wtf:

[Avalux]

3. Jinx!

:toast:

[ixion]

6. lol

I owe you a soda. :rofl: :toast:

[Lost in CT]

10. My reaction exactly... nt

[bread_and_roses]

11. I know - it's always "unexpectedly"

from these geniuses - how the hell could it be "unexpected" - what do they think is going on out here? Why does anyone take anything they say seriously anymore? Signs of environmental effects of global warming are always "unexpected" too, you notice? I don't "unexpect" them - what would be unexpected is if they DIDN'T happen for a change - that would be a nice "unexpected." I've been raving and ranting about this for a while now, obviously, lol.

[Avalux]

2. Unexpectedly? ROFL.

How the hell did they expect a slight drop, based on what data? I can personally attest to just how bad it is out there right now and it's going to keep getting worse.

[maseman]

4. What was so unexpected?

I thought it would be even more.

[LynnTheDem]

5. Because of the REPUBLI C PARTY PLAYING POLITICS.

Thank the REPUBLIC PARTY for being obstructionists while the nation burns.

[No Elephants]

7. Note: "Continuing" to receive unemployment. they are not counting those who

were never eligible for unemployment nor those who have exhuasted their unemployment benefits.

[madrchsod]

8. 25 laid off today in my home town

no one is buying raynor garage doors....

[TygrBright]

9. "Clue phone? What clue phone? I don't hear anything ringing!" n/t

[xchrom]

12. recommend

[defendandprotect]

13. We can't be bailing out capitalists and not specifying the jobs must stay --- !!!

If we're bailing out capitalism then we also have to be bailing

out the jobs. Insist that they not cut the jobs!!