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Jobless claims average down, total claims fall 12,000

June 18, 2015

The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell by 2,000 last week to a total of 276,750 from the previous week’s unrevised average, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Department of Labor.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended June 13 fell by 12,000 to a total of 267,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level.

No special factors affected this week’s initial claims.

Bloomberg reports claims fell more than its median forecast of 48 economists, which called for 277,000 claims, and the low level of firings indicates employers are optimistic demand will firm as the US economy rebounds from a first-quarter slowdown.

The Associated Press reports the figures suggest Americans are enjoying solid job security and the trend indicates that employers are confident enough in future consumer demand to retain their staffs.

MarketWatch reports the number of US workers who applied for unemployment benefits in mid-June remained near a 15-year low, reflecting the steady pace of hiring across the nation and the unusually low level of layoffs.