In the week ending April 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 230,000, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised level of 230,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,500, an increase of 6,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 206,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending April 20, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending April 20 was 1,671,000, an increase of 17,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous ... (full story)

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits was unchanged at higher levels last week, but the trend remained consistent with tightening labor market conditions. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits were flat at a seasonally adjusted 230,000 for the week ended April 27, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims surged 37,000 in the prior week, which was the largest rise since September 2017. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims falling to 215,000 in the latest week. The Labor Department said no states were estimated last week. Claims have been volatile in recent ... (full story)