by Calculated Risk on 4/26/2012 08:30:00 AM

The DOL reports:

In the week ending April 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 388,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 389,000. The 4-week moving average was 381,750, an increase of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average of 375,500.

The previous week was revised up to 389,000 from 386,000.

The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since January 2000.

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 increased to 381,750.

This is the highest level for the 4-week moving average this year.

And here is a long term graph of weekly claims:



After falling to 363,000 at the end of March, the 4-week average has increased for three straight weeks and is at the highest level this year.

All current Employment Graphs