MNI DATA IMPACT: US Initial Claims Rise 8,000 To 216,000>

--Four-Week Moving Average -250 To 218,750, Could Decline Next Week

By Kevin Kastner, Brooke Migdon and Alexandra Kelley

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The level of initial claims rose by 8,000 to 

216,000 in the July 13 employment survey week, in line with the 

expectations of Bloomberg and MNI forecasts.

     Here are some of the key takeaways from the data released Thursday: 

     -Initial claims were 217,000 in the June 15 survey week, reflecting 

little change between the survey weeks. 

     - The initial claims data reflect a 11,520 increase in unadjusted 

claims, when seasonal factors had expected a 2,289 increase in the 

current week. The unadjusted state data for the current week show large 

increases in California and Texas, offset by a decline in Michigan. 

     - The four-week moving average for claims fell slightly by 250 to 

218,750 in the July 13 week and is expected to decline next week as 

a 229,000 level in the June 22 week rolls out. 

     - Continuing claims decreased by 42,000 to 1.686 million in the 

July 6 week, raising the four-week average by 5,000 to 1.701 million. 

The rate of insured unemployment remained at 1.2%, unchanged from last 

week and the year-ago rate. 

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

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