Continuing claims fell 18,000 in lagging data for the April 2 week to 2.171 million, a cycle low last matched in March. The 4-week average is down 10,000 at 2.178 million which is about 40,000 below the month-ago comparison and which does point to improvement. The unemployment rate for insured workers is unchanged at a very low 1.6 percent.
There are no special factors in today's report but there may be one in next week's report, that is the Verizon strike of 40,000 workers. Note that next week's reporting week for initial claims will be the April 16 week which is the sample week for the monthly employment report. Verizon aside, lack of unemployment is pointing to convincing strength for the labor market.
Recent History Of This Indicator:
Initial jobless claims the last several weeks have held rock steady near record lows. Forecasters see initial claims coming in unchanged at 267,000 for the April 9 week. Continuing claims have also been very positive, trending down to new record lows. Low levels of unemployment claims point to healthy demand for labor.
Initial jobless claims the last several weeks have held rock steady near record lows. Forecasters see initial claims coming in unchanged at 267,000 for the April 9 week. Continuing claims have also been very positive, trending down to new record lows. Low levels of unemployment claims point to healthy demand for labor.
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