In the week ending January 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 294,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 298,000. Analysts were anticipating decrease to 291,000. The 4-week moving average was 290,500, a decrease of 250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 290,750.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.8 percent for the week ending December 27, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 27 was 2,452,000, an increase of 101,000 from the previous week's revised level.
Data did not have any significant impact on the markets. Euro is currently being traded few points above 1.1770 level, Sterling is around 1.5070 area, while Aussie is sligjtly above 0.81 handle.