WASHINGTON — Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 10,000 to 570,000 in the Aug. 22 week, according to data released by the Labor Department yesterday.
A Market News International survey had expected the initial claims level to fall to 565,000 in the Aug. 22 week from the originally reported 576,000 the week before. The expectations ranged from 560,000 to 570,000.
Initial claims for the Aug. 15 week were revised up 4,000 to 580,000, while the Aug. 8 week was unrevised at 561,000.
The initial-claims seasonally adjusted four-week average fell 4,750 to 566,250 in the Aug. 22 week.
In the Aug. 15 week continuing claims fell 119,000 to 6.133 million, their lowest level since the April 4 week of this year. A survey week comparison shows they were down 108,000 from the July 18 level of 6.241 million. Continuing claims were 3.451 million in the comparable week a year ago.
— Market News International
