Reply #2: initial claims numbers

[UpInArms]

8:30am 08/26/04

U.S. WEEKLY JOBLESS CLAIMS UP 10,000 TO 343,000

8:30am 08/26/04

U.S. 4-WEEK AVG. JOBLESS CLAIMS DIP TO 336,750

8:30am 08/26/04

U.S. CONTINUING CLAIMS UP 5,000 AT 2.897 MILLION

http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/newsfinder/pulseone.asp?dateid=38225.3543518518-818720790&siteID=mktw&scid=0&doctype=806&

U.S. jobless claims rise 10,000 on storm damage

WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) - First-time claims for state unemployment benefits rose by 10,000 in the week ending Aug. 21 to 343,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. It's the highest level in four weeks. About half the gain was due to the impact of Hurricane Charley, which battered Florida and other Southeastern states on Aug. 13 and 14, a government official said. Despite the increase, the more reliable four-week average of new claims dipped by 750 to 336,750, the lowest in four weeks. Meanwhile, the number of people collecting state unemployment checks rose by 5,000 to 2.897 million in the week ending Aug. 14. The insured unemployment rate remained at 2.3 percent.

(edited to add text)