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

By Kevin Kastner

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

unemployment insurance claims data for the November 11 week released by 

the Labor Department Thursday: 

     - Initial jobless claims rose by 10,000 to 249,000, above the 

235,000 level expected and putting claims slightly above trend.

     - The four-week moving average rose 6,500 to 237,750 after six 

straight declines. The average is likely to rise further next week as 

the 234,000 level in Oct 21 week rolls out. 

     - Unadjusted claims from Puerto Rico totalled 6,565 after 8,281 

filings last week, as backlogged filings continued to be processed. 

     - Filings in Virgin Islands saw a fell to 97 from 199 in the 

previous week, with filings still severely disrupted.

     - Continuing claims fell 44,000 to 1.860 million in the November 4 

week, the lowest level since 1.805 million in the Dec. 29, 1973 week. 

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

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