Continuing claims 1661K versus 1649K expected
- Prior report
- US initial jobless claims fell sharply to 206K vs 226K expected.
- 4-week moving average fell to 224.75k vs 228.5K last week
- continuing claims rose to 1.661M vs 1649K expected and 1.636K the prior week.
- The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending December 1 were in California (+21,061), Pennsylvania (+9,937), New York (+8,652), Illinois (+7,915), and Texas (+7,382),
- The largest decreases were in Oklahoma (-813), Kentucky (-764), Massachusetts (-615), Vermont (-293), and Virgin Islands (-3)
It is a stronger than expected number as it moves quickly toward the record lows reached in September. It is the holiday season so seasonals may be in play, but regardless, this is strong.
