Economic Event Initial Claims Units Thousands of Claims Current Period 08/08/2009 Release Date Aug. 13. 09 Reported 558 Consensus for Current Period 542 Number of Forecasts 6 Economic Surprise 16 ( 2.95 % ) Prior Period 08/01/2009 Reported Value for Prior Period 554 Revised From 550 Next Release Date Aug. 20. 09 Next Release Time 8:30 AM Eastern Time Source http://ows.doleta.gov/press/2009/081309.asp Note The 4-week moving average was 565,000, an increase of 8,500 from the previous week " s revised average of 556,500. 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.

Close Window