by Calculated Risk on 2/04/2016 08:33:00 AM

The DOL reported:

In the week ending January 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 285,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 278,000 to 277,000. The 4-week moving average was 284,750, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 283,000 to 282,750.

There were no special factors impacting this week's initial claims.

The previous week was revised down to 277,000.

The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since 1971.

Click on graph for larger image.


The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims decreased to 284,750.

This was above the consensus forecast of 275,000. Although initial claims have increased recently, this is still a very low level and the 4-week average suggests few layoffs.