In the week ending September 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 284,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 298,000. The 4-week moving average was 263,250, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 250,250. This is the highest level for this average since August 13, 2016 when it was 263,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.4 percent for the week ending September 2, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending ... (full story)

Filings for jobless benefits in the U.S. unexpectedly settled back last week, underscoring a resilient labor market even as the Atlantic hurricane season introduces added volatility to the figures, Labor Department data showed Thursday. Applications for unemployment insurance last week were estimated for Florida, Georgia and South Carolina -- states that were impacted by Hurricane Irma. Meanwhile, Texas reported an unadjusted 11,800 decrease in filings, following a Hurricane Harvey-related 51,683 surge in the week ended Sept. 2. The spike was responsible for breaking total initial claims out of a subdued pattern. ... (full story)