**MNI 5 THINGS: US Claims Fall 3k to 213k>

--5 Things We Learned From the January 12 Claims Data

By Harrison Clarke and Shikha Dave

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

US unemployment insurance claims data for the January 12 survey week 

released by the Labor Department Thursday: 

     - The initial claims data fell by 3,000 to 213,000 in the January 

12 employment survey week, below expectations for a 218,000 level in an 

MNI survey. There was no revision in the January 5 week from the 

previously reported 216,000 level. 

     - Overall, the unexpectedly low reading suggests seasonal 

adjustment difficulties. However, it will remain to be seen if claims 

hold at this level. Noise from the holidays will make the true claims 

trend hard to interpret. Initial claims for federal employees filing in 

federal programs rose by 5,694 to 10,454 in the January 5 week, compared 

with 1,148 a year prior. This number could rise in the coming weeks if 

the government shutdown continues. 

     - The level of initial claims was down 4,000 from the 217,000 level 

in the December 15 employment survey week, and still represents a tight 

labor market. The claims data do not directly translate into stronger 

payrolls gains, but are certainly a positive factor. 

     - The four-week moving average fell by 1,000 to 220,750 this week. 

The average was down 2,000 from the 222,750 average in the December 15 

employment survey week and would be expected to fall further next week 

as the 221,000 level in the December 22 week rolls out of the equation. 

     - Continuing claims rose by 18,000 to 1.737m in the January 5 week, 

while the four-week average rose by 8,000 to 1.729m. The insured 

unemployment rate was 1.2%, unchanged from the previous week, but still 

down from 1.4% in the same week a year ago. 

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

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