Recent Updates
- Philippines: Loans Oustanding of Philippine Banking System (Oct)
- Poland: Supervisory Liquidity Measures (Oct), Unemployment Rate (Nov-Prelim)
- Moldova: Public Sector Debt (Q3)
- Bulgaria: IP (Oct)
- more updates...
Economy in Brief
German Trade Data Tell a Tale of Two Germanys
Germany's October trade report is better than expected...
U.S. Nonfarm Payroll Growth Rebounds; Wages Firm & Jobless Rate Eases
The labor market firmed during November...
U.S. Consumer Credit Usage Accelerates
Consumer Credit Outstanding increased $18.90 billion (4.8% y/y during October...
U.S. Wholesale Inventories Edge Up While Sales Slump
Wholesale inventories edged up 0.1% m/m (+3.8% y/y) in October...
U.S. Trade Deficit Shrinks as Imports Fall Sharply
The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services declined to $47.20 billion during October...
by Tom Moeller September 2, 2004
Initial claims for unemployment insurance jumped 19,000 to 362,000 last week on the heels of a 10,000 rise the week prior. Roughly half of both week's increases were due to the impact of Hurricane Charley on claims in Florida, according to the Labor Department. The Consensus forecast had beenfor 335,000 claims.
The 4-week moving average of initial claims rose to 343,000 (-14.4% y/y).
Continuing claims for unemployment insurance fell 5,000 following a downwardly revised 5,000 decline the week prior.
The insured rate of unemployment remained at 2.3%, where it has hovered since the end of April.
| Unemployment Insurance (000s) | 08/28/04 | 08/21/04 | Y/Y | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Claims | 362 | 343 | -12.6% | 399 | 403 | 403 |
| Continuing Claims | -- | 2,882 | -19.4% | 3,516 | 3,564 | 2974 |
