Jobless claims rise, but labor market healing

[ProSense]

Jobless claims rise, but labor market healing
By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits rose last week, a government report showed on Thursday, but not enough to change perceptions that the labor market was strengthening.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 362,000, the Labor Department said. Even with the increase, claims are still near their lowest in four years.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims unchanged at 351,000 last week. The four-week moving average for new claims, considered a better measure of labor market trends, edged up 250 to 355,000 - still near a four-year low.

"We remain in this lower range as far as the jobless claims are concerned and most analysts are looking forward to at least a moderately encouraging payrolls report tomorrow," said Nick Bennenbroek, head of currency strategy at Wells Fargo in New York.

- more -

http://news.yahoo.com/jobless-claims-rise-8-000-last-week-133410974.html

Jobless claims tick higher

By Steve Benen

<...>

In terms of metrics, keep in mind, when these jobless claims fall below the 400,000 threshold, it's considered evidence of an improving jobs landscape. When the number drops below 370,000, it suggests jobs are actually being created rather quickly.

Though today's report is disappointing, we've now been below 370,000 for five consecutive weeks, and six of the last eight weeks.

And with that, here's the chart, showing weekly, initial unemployment claims going back to the beginning of 2007. (Remember, unlike the monthly jobs chart, a lower number is good news.) For context, I've added an arrow to show the point at which President Obama's Recovery Act began spending money.



http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/08/10609668-jobless-claims-tick-higher

[cindyperry2010]

1. So Friday is when

the jobs report comes out i wonder what unemployment will be down to