Kevin Spires, CFA, FRM

Initial Jobless Claims rose to 386k last week from an upwardly revised 380k. The 4 week moving average increased to a 6 week high of 382k.
With all the talk of seasonal adjustment problems, it is important to note that this week's claims are 7.66% below the claims reported 52 weeks ago. The 4 week moving average is 9.75% below the 4 week moving average 52 weeks ago.
Claims data is very sloppy at this time, but it does mirror the weakness in the monthly jobs report - as the seasonal adjustment factors are produced by the same group for both reports.
With all the talk of seasonal adjustment problems, it is important to note that this week's claims are 7.66% below the claims reported 52 weeks ago. The 4 week moving average is 9.75% below the 4 week moving average 52 weeks ago.
Claims data is very sloppy at this time, but it does mirror the weakness in the monthly jobs report - as the seasonal adjustment factors are produced by the same group for both reports.