Weekly Jobless Claims Rise in Latest Week

Keep in mind that the prior week’s report was the best report since before the recession. A positive sign was seen in the four-week average, falling by 3,500 to 297,250 — the lowest level in a decade.

The continuing jobless claims report, the so-called army of the unemployed, which is reported with a one week lag, rose by 31,000 to a seasonally adjusted 2.54 million.

Friday will bring the Labor Department’s unemployment and payrolls report. Estimates are as follows:

• Nonfarm payrolls expected to be up 233,000, versus 288,000 the prior month.
• Private sector payrolls expected to rise 233,000, versus 262,000 the prior month.
• And 6.1% unemployment, flat versus the prior month.

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