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 8/16/07 For wk 8/11 2007 | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
Highlights
Jobless claims rose 6,000 in the Aug. 11 week to 322,000, pushing the four-week average up 4,750 to a level of 312,500 that still indications tight conditions in the labor market. There were no special factors in the latest week. Data for the Aug. 18 week, the same week of the monthly employment report, will be watched more closely. Continuing claims for the Aug. 4 week rose 17,000 to 2.567 million. Though initial and continuing claims have been edging higher in the last couple of weeks, conditions in the labor market remain strong -- a big plus given unusual turbulence in the financial markets and weakness in the housing sector (reflected this morning by sharp drops in housing starts and permits).
Initial jobless claims rose 7,000 in the Aug. 4 week to 316,000, lifting the four-week average 1,750 to 307,750. Continuing claims for the July 28 week rose 39,000 to 2.559 million.
Jobless Claims Consensus Forecast for 8/11/07: 315,000
Range: 310,000 to 321,000
![[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}