Daily News

View All News

US jobless claims average up 4,750; initial claims fall more than forecast

August 21, 2014

The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance last week rose by 4,750 to a total of 300,750 from the previous week’s upwardly revised figure of 296,000, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. 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 Aug. 14 fell by 14,000 to a total of 298,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised figure of 312,000.

Bloomberg reports the decline is more than forecast and a sign the U.S. job market is making progress as the world’s largest economy grows.