New jobless claims rise unexpectedly

[Karmadillo]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32488556/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

New jobless claims rise unexpectedly
But total benefit rolls show little change at around 6.2 million

WASHINGTON - The number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly for the second straight week, a sign that jobs remain scarce even as other data show the economy is stabilizing.

The Labor Department said Thursday the number of new jobless claims rose to a seasonally adjusted 576,000 last week, from a revised figure of 561,000. Wall Street economists expected a drop to 550,000, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.

Economists closely watch initial claims, which are considered a gauge of layoffs and an indication of companies' willingness to hire new workers.

The figures are volatile, and had been trending down, after remaining above 600,000 for most of this year. The new report indicates that the labor market is still weak. In a healthy economy, initial claims are usually around 325,000 or below.

The four-week average of initial claims, which smooths out fluctuations, rose for the second straight week to 570,000.

The number of people remaining on the benefit rolls dropped by 2,000 to 6.24 million. Analysts had expected a slight decline. The continuing claims figures lag initial claims by a week.

more...

[ixion]

1. there's that word "unexpectedly" again

Seems the 'experts' are always caught off guard, despite the glaring reality.

[Karmadillo]

2. Maybe they've been blinded by all the green shoots out there.

nt

[Karmadillo]

3. Thank you for the unrec.

:hi:

[kentuck]

5. Maybe they will ration these folks about 50 unrecs per week...

and we could get a few days without them? :-) The anonymity is like a flasher without a face.

[Karmadillo]

6. Great idea. Maybe no unrecs Fridays or something like that.

:toast:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. It's a trickle down recovery. We just have to give the bankers more of our money.

Then they'll start making more money and be willing to loan to people who have enough money to not need a loan. Then those people will buy more stuff that we don't make any more and put more people back to work in Guatemala to produce more stuff that we can't buy because we don't have anybody working making stuff.

It's a brilliant strategy.....if you drink a lot Red Mountain Burgundy (guaranteed aged 24 hours).

[Kansas Wyatt]

7. That's what you get when you help Wall Street instead of Main Street.

Corporate America & the U.S. Government merged long ago.

Every citizen has become a 'subject' to be exploited and oppressed by Corporate America, with the approval of the U.S. Government.

Don't worry... One of the Corporate Parties will be keeping your best interests in mind and will come up with another shell game to help Corporate America in these tough times.

That way, all you unemployed workers don't have to worry about all your wealth in your stock portfolio taking a hit, and you can still tap into your family's trust fund, without even noticing it. Yes, I sincerely believe those stupid fucking politicians actually think that about everyone who does have to work for a living.