First Time Jobless Claims Rise 7K, Still Near Historic Lows

Jobless claims are holding at or near record lows, with initial claims up only 7,000 in the October 29 week and continuing claims down 14,000 in the October 22 week. The 4-week average for initial claims, now at 257,750, has trended for the last two months in the 255,000 area. Continuing claims have likewise been trending lower, at a new record low of 2.026 million. There are no special factors in today's report where trends are pointing to strength in the labor market and suggest that employers are holding tightly onto their employees.

Recent History Of This Indicator:
Initial jobless claims have been tracking at historic lows and pointing to healthy conditions in the labor market, falling slightly in the October 22 week to 258,000. Forecasters see initial claims falling slightly once again, down 3,000 to 255,000 for the October 29 week.