Filed under: Economic data, Federal ReserveFirst-time claims for unemployment benefits fell 11,000 last week to 330,000 -- in line with the consensus estimate, the U.S. Labor Department announced Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the more-telling four-week moving average fell 750 to 329,750, the Labor Department reported. One year ago, new claims for unemployment insurance totaled 322,000.
An average of 2.57 million Americans are receiving state jobless benefits, also called continuing claims; a year ago about 2.43 million Americans were receiving benefits.
The U.S. jobless rate is at 4.7%, and many economists expect it to climb slightly on soft Q4 GDP growth. The U.S. economy recorded Q3 GDP growth of 3.9%, with many economists projecting a Q4 GDP growth rate in the 1.5-2.2% range.Continue reading J
Related Headlines
- Earnings previews: Abercrombie (ANF), Gap (GPS), Nordstrom (JWN)posted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Earnings highlights: Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Starbucks, and othersposted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Earnings previews: Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Whole Foods (WFMI)posted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Option update: Abercrombie & Fitch, Deere beat estimatesposted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Deere shares rise after solid Q4 reportposted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Do HP numbers make life harder for Dell?posted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Greenfield Online (SRVY) in bullish 'pennant' patternposted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Dell remaining silent on retail channel strategyposted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Ford (F) tumbles on economic worriesposted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks
- Clorox continues to brighten portfoliosposted 810 weeks ago on BloggingStocks