Initial Claims increased to 500,000, for the week ending 08/14, against the expected decrease to 481,000, after increasing to 488,000, the revised level for the previous week. This was the fourth increase in the past five weeks and the highest level since November. The 4-week moving average increased to 482,500, from the previous week’s revised average of 474,500. Seasonally adjusted insured unemployment from the prior week, ending on 08/07, was 4,478,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the preceding week’s revised level of 4,491,000. Seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate from the week ending on 08/07, was 3.5%, unchanged from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 3.5%.
The Conference Boards’ Leading Indicators Index numbers are expected today at 10:00 AM EST. The index had decreased by 0.2% in June to 109.8 (2004=100). The Coincident Index was unchanged at 101.4 (2004=100) and the Lagging Index had increased by 0.1% to 107.6 (2004=100).
Upcoming Releases
Leading Indicators (08/19 at 10:00 AM EST)
Existing Home Sales (08/24 at 10:00 AM EST)
Durable Orders (08/25 at 8:30 AM EST)
New Home Sales (08/25 at 10:00 AM EST)
