**MNI 5 THINGS: US Claims Fall 23k to 216k; Durables +1.2%>

--5 Things We Learned From Feb 16 Claims Data and December Durables Data

By Kevin Kastner

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The following are the key points from the weekly 

US unemployment insurance claims data for the February 16 survey week 

and the December durable goods orders report, both released on Thursday.

     - The initial claims data fell by 23,000 to 216,000 in the February 

16 employment survey week, below expectations for a 229,000 level in an 

MNI survey. There was no revision in the February 9 week from the 

previously reported 239,000 level. The four-week moving average rose by 

4,000 to 235,750 this week, but would be expected to decline next week 

as the recent peak rolls out of the calculation. 

     - The level of initial claims was up only 4,000 from the 212,000 

level in the January 12 employment survey week, remarkable given the 

very sharp volatility over the last few weeks. Seasonal adjustment 

difficulties in January and February make the data less trustworthy than 

normal. 

     - Continuing claims fell by 55,000 to 1.725m in the February 9 

week, while the four-week average rose by 2,750 to 1.755m. The insured 

unemployment rate was unchanged at 1.2%, down slightly from 1.3% a 

year ago.

     - Durable goods orders rose 1.2% in December, below the 2.0% pace 

expected, while orders excluding transportation were only slightly lower 

than expected with a 0.1% gain. Transportation orders rose 3.3% in the 

month, led by a 28.4% surge in nondefense aircraft orders. 

     - Outside of transportation, there were orders declines for primary 

metals and machinery orders and a flat reading for computers and 

electronics products. Nondefense capital goods new orders ex aircraft 

fell 0.7% and nondefense capital goods shipments ex aircraft rose 0.5%. 

This followed declines for both in November.  

     ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 ** 

[TOPICS: MAUDS$,M$U$$$,MAUDR$]