Unemployment Claims increased to 265,000

Thursday, Mar 17 2016

In the week ending March 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 265,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level, mostly in line with market forecasts. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 259,000 to 258,000. The 4-week moving average was 268,000, an increase of 750 from the last week's level.

Separate report on Philly Fed Manufacturing Index showed that index increased from a reading of -2.8 in February to 12.4 this month, its first positive reading in seven months, well above predictions on increase to -1.4. Both the current new orders and shipments indexes also showed improvement this month. The current new orders index returned to positive territory, increasing 21 points to 15.7. Nearly 37 percent of the firms reported an increase in new orders this month.

Also, Current Account data was released. Current Account deficit decreased to $125.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015 from $129.9 billion (revised) in the third quarter. Analysts were expecting decrease to $117 billion. The deficit decreased to 2.8% of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) from 2.9% in the third quarter. The decrease in the current-account deficit was accounted for bydecreases in the deficits on goods and secondary income and an increase in the surplus on services. These changes were partly offset by a decrease in the surplus on primary income.

Euro is currently being traded few points above 1.13 level, Sterling is around 1.4450 handle, while Aussie is at 0.76 area.

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