Jobless claims fell to 335,000

[papau]

Jobless claims fell to 335,000 in latest week from revised 372,000 in prior week -last weeks initial claims of 369,000 revised up to 372000 so this weeks initial could be 3000 lower.

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/current.htm



October 7, 2004 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA

In the week ending Oct. 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 335,000, a decrease of 37,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 372,000. The 4-week moving average was 348,500, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average of 344,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.3 percent for the week ending Sept. 25, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 2.3 percent.

The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending Sept. 25 was 2,864,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 2,865,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,868,250, a decrease of 5,750 from the preceding week's revised average of 2,874,000.


UNADJUSTED DATA

The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 277,499 in the week ending Oct. 2, a decrease of 5,805 from the previous week. There were 337,880 initial claims in the comparable week in 2003.

The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.9 percent during the week ending Sept.25, unchanged from the prior week. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 2,373,981, a decrease of 23,841 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.3 percent and the volume was 2,958,923.

[Moderator]

1. How about a link?

link?

[Snellius]

2. Link here:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2004-10-07-jobless-claims_x.htm

[Moderator]

3. Here you go

LBN isn't taking much "moderating" this morning...so I looked up a link


http://www.latimes.com/business/investing/wire/sns-ap-jobless-claims,1,5243469,print.story?coll=sns-ap-investing-headlines


Jobless Claims Decline Sharply Last Week
By JEANNINE AVERSA
Associated Press Writer

5:36 AM PDT, October 7, 2004

WASHINGTON — The number of new applications filed last week for unemployment benefits fell sharply, offering a hopeful sign that the recovery in the job market may be gaining some steam.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of new people signing up for unemployment insurance benefits dropped by a seasonally adjusted 37,000 to 335,000, the lowest level since the beginning of September. In the prior three weeks, claims had gone up.

The latest snapshot of the layoffs climate was better than economists were expecting. They were expecting claims to decline to around 355,000.

Claims had risen recently in part because of the impact of hurricanes that pummeled Florida and elsewhere, wreaking damage and disrupting commerce.

The more stable, four-week moving average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week fluctuations, rose by 4,250 last week to 348,500. That compares with 394,250 a year ago -- showing improvement has been seen over the past year.

The number of people continuing to draw unemployment benefits declined by 1,000 to 2.86 million for the week ending Sept. 25, the most recent period for which that information is available. A year ago, the number stood at 3.57 million.

[papau]

5. The DU is extremely slow at the moment - but it just speeded up!

I was getting 3 minute waits followed by disconnects.

It takes time for the CIA/FBI programs to initialize!

:-)

[kysrsoze]

4. As if it's a good number? Whatever.

[mhr]

6. The BLS Trying TO Make Bush Look Good Prior To The Debate

eom

[Media_Lies_Daily]

7. I guess that means 37,000 exhausted their unemployment benefits.

[Tempest]

8. Four week moving average shows claims increased

The four week moving average is considered a more reliable measure because it smooths out temporary fluctuations, like weather.