Nationwide unemployment claims fell by 23,000 to 381,000 in the week ending Dec. 3. This is the fewest claims since February, the
Nationwide unemployment claims fell by 23,000 to 381,000 in the week ending Dec. 3. This is the fewest claims since February, the U.S. Department of Labor reported this morning.
The four-week moving average, considered the more reliable predictor, was 393,250, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week’s revised average of 396,250.
The two states with the largest increases in claims last week were Wisconsin (+8,172) and Michigan ( (+2,643). State officials said the increase was due to layoffs in the construction industry.
The number of people continuing to receive unemployment insurance benefits dropped by 174,000 in the week ended Nov. 26 to 3.58 million, the lowest level since the financial crisis in September 2008.
