Slight Fall In Workers Filing Jobless Benefits
By Christopher S. Rugaber |
March 19, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE number of newly laid-off workers in the United States requesting jobless benefits fell slightly last week for the third straight time. But initial claims remain above levels that would signal net job gains.
New claims for unemployment insurance fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 457,000, the US Labor Department said yesterday. That nearly matched analysts' estimates of 455,000, according to Thomson Reuters.
The four-week average of jobless claims, which smooths out volatility, dropped to 471,250. Still, the average has risen by 30,000 since the start of this year. That's raised concerns among economists that persistent unemployment could weaken the recovery.
The average number of weekly jobless claims remains above the 400,000-to-425,000 level that many economists say it must fall below before widespread new hiring is likely.
In a separate report, the department said consumer prices were unchanged in February. A rise in food prices was offset by a drop in gasoline and other energy costs. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, the core Consumer Price Index edged up just 0.1 percent last month, matching economists' estimates.
New claims for unemployment insurance fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 457,000, the US Labor Department said yesterday. That nearly matched analysts' estimates of 455,000, according to Thomson Reuters.
The four-week average of jobless claims, which smooths out volatility, dropped to 471,250. Still, the average has risen by 30,000 since the start of this year. That's raised concerns among economists that persistent unemployment could weaken the recovery.
The average number of weekly jobless claims remains above the 400,000-to-425,000 level that many economists say it must fall below before widespread new hiring is likely.
In a separate report, the department said consumer prices were unchanged in February. A rise in food prices was offset by a drop in gasoline and other energy costs. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, the core Consumer Price Index edged up just 0.1 percent last month, matching economists' estimates.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
