Economic Event Initial Claims Units Thousands of Claims Current Period 02/12/2011 Release Date Feb. 17. 11 Reported 410 Consensus for Current Period 396 Number of Forecasts 8 Economic Surprise 14 ( 3.54 % ) Prior Period 02/05/2011 Reported Value for Prior Period 385 Revised From 383 Next Release Date Feb. 24. 11 Next Release Time 8:30 AM Eastern Time Source https://ows.doleta.gov/press/2011/021711.asp Note The 4-week moving average was 417,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week " s revised average of 416,000. 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