by Calculated Risk on 9/03/2015 08:33:00 AM

The DOL reported:

In the week ending August 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 282,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 271,000 to 270,000. The 4-week moving average was 275,500, an increase of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 272,500 to 272,250.

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

The previous week was revised down to 270,000.

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 increased to 275,500.

This was higher than the consensus forecast of 273,000, however the low level of the 4-week average suggests few layoffs.