New unemployment claims are compiled weekly to show the number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time. An increasing (decreasing) trend suggests a deteriorating (improving) labor market. The four-week moving average of new claims smoothes out weekly volatility. Why Investors Care
| Released on 4/12/07 For wk 4/7 2007 | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Highlights
Initial jobless claims, skewed higher by seasonal adjustment problems during the holidays, jumped 19,000 in the April 7 week to 342,000, lifting the four-week average 7,000 to 323,250. The reading is far above expectations for 320,000. The Labor Department said the last two weeks of data have been affected by seasonal factors surrounding spring break. Though claims may come back down as the seasonal distortion plays through, Treasuries firmed in immediate reaction to the report.
Initial jobless claims rose 11,000 to 321,000 for the week ending March 31. Nonetheless, the four-week average slipped 1,500 to 315,750 -- a level that is consistent with solid payroll growth.
Jobless Claims Consensus Forecast for 4/7/07: 320,000
Range: 295,000 to 332,000
![[Chart]](chart.gif)
|
Weekly series fluctuate more dramatically than monthly series even when the series are adjusted for seasonal variation. The 4-week moving average gives a better perspective on the underlying trend. |
powered by
![[Econoday]](../../../../../../../../../images/logo.gif){kind=logo}