MNI:5 Things We Learned From Initial Unemployment Claims Data>

By Holly Stokes and Sara Haire

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

unemployment insurance weekly claims data for the October 21 week 

released Thursday by the BLS: 

     - Initial jobless claims rose 10,000 to 233,000, falling well below 

the year ago level of 255,000.

     - The four-week moving average fell 9,000 to 239,500 as the 269,000 

from the September 23 week fell out of the equation.

     - Continuing claims seasonally adjusted dropped 3,000 to 1.893 

million in the October 14 survey week, much lower than the 2.052 million 

one year ago. It was -18k from Sep 16 survey week.

     - The seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate for the 

October 14 week stayed at 1.3%, below the 1.5% seen a year ago.

     - BLS says that in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands the claims 

taking procedures continues to be severely disrupted due to power 

outages and infrastructure damages caused by the hurricanes. 

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

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