U.S. jobless claims rise more than expected

Reuters ^ | January 30, 2014 | Reuters

[John W]

Jan 30 (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, but the underlying trend suggested the labor market continued to heal.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 19,000 to a seasonally adjusted 348,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims for the prior week were revised to show 3,000 more applications received than previously reported.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast first-time applications for jobless benefits rising to 330,000 in the week ended Jan. 25.

The four-week moving average for new claims, considered a better measure of underlying labor market conditions as it irons out week-to-week volatility, edged up 750 to 333,000

[demshateGod]

It really is getting more difficult to comprehend these reports. The number games are over the top now.

[dfwgator]

I hope you don’t mind me reposting your brilliant parody:

Courtesy of Red Badger:

Unexpected Thursday
(Pleasant Valley Sunday - with apologies to Gerry Goffin, Carole King and the Monkees)

The White House Press Corps down the hall
Is trying hard to learn their song…
Serenade the weak kneed Gibbs, who just came out to make them yawn…

Another Unexpected Thursday!
Spilled Oil burning everywhere!
Rows of houses they’re all foreclosed
And no one seems to care…

See Mrs. O, she’s proud today because her roses are in bloom!
Mr. O he’s so serene, He’s on TV in every room!

Another Unexpected Thursday!
Here in Unemployment Land!
The Press complains about how high it is
And the people just don’t understand…

Creature comfort goals
They only numb my soul and make it hard for me to see
My thoughts all seem to stray, to places far away
I need a change of scenery

Ta Ta Ta...

Another Unexpected Thursday
Spilled Oil burning everywhere!
Another Unexpected Thursday
Here in Unemployment land

Another Unexpected Thursday...

[Blood of Tyrants]

I thought it was Bush’s fault. I guess I am behind.

[tsowellfan]

So unemployment applications going up is actually good news.

Absolutely! That's because there will be more "Help Wanted" signs hanging in the windows of the Unemployment Offices.

[Iron Munro]

Official Name Of The Obama Weekly Jobs Report

[Red Badger]

Any time.................

[ProudFossil]

Drink!

I am!!!

[CatOwner]

And the stock markets are spiking on this bad news. I give up.

[cherokee1]

“good news-—” Yeah. Yup. It’s the old “underlying trend “ doncha know? So how come these number geniuses haven’t been tracking the underlying trend? Maybe it’s the underlie-ing trend? If they put any more lipstick on that pig it’s gonna start looking good to an arab.

[skeeter]

I still remember when the media were wailing about the 'recession' in 1992 when economic growth was near 4.5%.

Dunno if there are enough lampposts for the number of lying journalists in this country.

[Wyatt's Torch]

The weekly volatility is why the 4-week moving average is the best metric:

[RetiredArmy]

If this is healing, by the time that unemployment is 50%, we should be in really great shape, huh!!!

[skeeter]

Well the esteemed Nancy Pelosi did say that joblessness is good for the economy.

[ex-snook]

Nothing that MADE IN USA won’t fix.

[LibsRJerks]

Um, ok, so more are filing for unemployment, but we’re still “healing” which means things are getting better?

Is upside down up and right side up sideways?

Have ever seen such a bunch of cockamamie BS in my lifetime as I have from this media.

[4Liberty]

UNEXPECTED by Whom??

[Republican Wildcat]

more than expected

Okay, seriously...this phrase is really getting tiresome.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

https://soundcloud.com/thehermancain/crunching-the-min-wage-numbers

[RWB Patriot]

As long as dear leader is in office, all news is good news.

[Fresh Wind]

ROFL!!