Initial unemployment claims inch down; continued claims continue to rise

The U.S. Department of Labor released the Weekly Claims data for Unemployment Insurance today. Initial claims were at 425,000 for the week ending August 23rd up from the previous week's revised figure of 435,000. The four week average of initial claims, which is not as volatile, was at 440,250 down from the previous week's mark of 446,250.

Continued claims for unemployment insurance increased to 3,423,000 for the week ending August 16th up from the previous week's number of 3,359,000. This is the highest it has been since November, 2003. The four week average for continued claims was also up to 3,336,500 from 3,329,250.

Sphere: Related Content