In the week ending January 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 368,000, an increase of 38,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 330,000. The 4-week moving average was 352,000, an increase of 250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 351,750.Economists had expected claims to increase to 350,000.
The increase may be a bit exaggerated as many thought last week's decrease was incorrect.
Last weeks Jobless claims were 330,000 was the lowest in five years, and the second week in a row of positive numbers---an encouraging sign for the economy (though still not enough).
The Wall Street Journal found out from San Fransisco research firm called Southbay Research that the positive trending suggests it has more to do with the fact that California, whose 38 million population gives it the biggest workforce in the nation, hasn’t filed its claims numbers for past two weeks. And because the state hasn't filed its numbers their labor department had to come up with a number which, according to the research firm was too low .
Tomorrow the Labor department will release the unemployment number for the month of December--if the numbers are not positive, look for the White House to blame it on the GOP.
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