Initial applications for US unemployment benefits rose by 9,000 to 200,000 in the week ended 7 November. The four-week average was unchanged at 195,250. Continuing claims fell in the separate series covering the preceding week. The Labor Department also revised earlier readings, including an upward correction to the prior initial-claims total.
US unemployment benefit applications rose to a seasonally adjusted 200,000 in the week ended 7 November. The Labor Department’s advance estimate was 9,000 above the preceding week’s revised 191,000. That earlier total was corrected upwards. The release on 12 November covers new requests for unemployment support; continuing requests appear in a separate series with an earlier reference week.[1], [2]
The moving average for initial claims stayed at 195,250 across four weeks. It matched the preceding average after an upward revision to that earlier observation. The weekly increase in new applications therefore came alongside an unchanged four-week measure. Both figures are seasonally adjusted administrative totals from the unemployment-benefit system.[1], [2]
Continuing benefit claims fell by 20,000 to 1,697,000 in the week ended 31 October. Their previous level was revised downwards, unlike the revision to initial claims. The continuing series consequently describes benefit requests a week earlier than the new initial-claims figure. The insured unemployment rate remained at 1.1 per cent, according to the department.[1], [2]
