by Calculated Risk on 9/10/2015 08:33:00 AM

The DOL reported:

In the week ending September 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 275,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 282,000 to 281,000. The 4-week moving average was 275,750, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 275,500 to 275,250.

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

The previous week was revised down to 281,000.

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 275,750.

This was at the consensus forecast of 275,000, and the low level of the 4-week average suggests few layoffs.