by Calculated Risk on 10/23/2008 09:34:00 AM

From the Dept of Labor:

In the week ending Oct. 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 478,000, an increase of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 463,000. It is estimated that the effects of Hurricane Ike in Texas added approximately 12,000 claims to the total. The 4-week moving average was 480,250, a decrease of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average of 484,750.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows weekly claims and the four week moving average. The four week moving average is at 480,250.

Some of the recent increase in unemployment claims is a result of Hurricane Ike and should be temporary, but the four week moving average of weekly unemployment claims is at a recession level and continues to indicate significant weakness in the labor market.