| Economic Event | Initial Claims |
| Units | Thousands of Claims |
| Current Period | 12/20/2008 |
| Release Date | Dec. 24. 08 |
| Reported | 586 |
| Consensus for Current Period | 562.5 |
| Number of Forecasts | 4 |
| Economic Surprise | 23.5 ( 4.18 % ) |
| Prior Period | 12/13/2008 |
| Reported Value for Prior Period | 556 |
| Revised From | 554 |
| Next Release Date | Dec. 31. 08 |
| Next Release Time | 8:30 AM Eastern Time |
| Source | http://ows.doleta.gov/press/2008/122408.asp |
| Note | |
| Description | Initial jobless claims measure the amount of filings for state jobless benefits. This indicator of the direction of the economy can be misleading, with increases in claims potential signaling slowing job growth. Typically a four week moving average provides a better sense of the underlying trend. A move of 30K is necessary to signal a meaningful change in job growth. |