Unemployment Claims up to 263,000

In the week ending August 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 263,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 261,000. The 4-week moving average was 263,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 264,000. There were no special factors impacting this week's initial claims. This marks 78 consecutive weeks of initial claims below 300,000, the longest streak since 1970.

Unemployment Claims dipped to 261,000

The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week fell by 1,000 to 261,000 and remained near postrecession lows, indicating a healthy labor market in which few people are losing their jobs. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast initial jobless claims to total 264,000 in the week stretching from Aug. 14 to Aug. 20.

Unemployment Claims fell to 262,000

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, reinforcing views of labor market strength that could encourage the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates soon. The index for current manufacturing activity in the region rose 5 points to only 2.0 in August, as the share of firms reporting an increase in activity (35 percent) barely exceeded the share reporting a decrease (33 percent). This is only the third positive reading of the index in the current year. Another report on Thursday showed a mild improvement in manufacturing activity in the mid-Atlantic region this month amid rising shipments from factories. But weak orders and shrinking employment suggested the manufacturing malaise was far from over.

Unemployment Claims dropped to 253,000