by Calculated Risk on 1/21/2016 08:34:00 AM

The DOL reported:

In the week ending January 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 293,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 284,000 to 283,000. The 4-week moving average was 285,000, an increase of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 278,750 to 278,500.

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

The previous week was revised down to 283,000.

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 285,000.

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.