Initial Claims increased to 496,000, for the week ending 02/20, higher than the expected decrease to 460,000, after increasing to 474,000, the revised level for the previous week. The 4-week moving average increased to 473,750, from the previous week’s revised average of 467,750. Seasonally adjusted insured unemployment from the prior week, ending on 02/13, was 4,617,000, an increase of 6,000 from the preceding week’s revised level of 4,611,000. Seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate from the week ending on 02/13, was 3.5%, unchanged from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 3.5%.
 
Durable Orders increased by 3%, $5.2 billion, during January to $175.7 billion, beating the expected 1.5% increase. This was the second consecutive monthly increase and followed a 1.9% December increase. Transportation equipment, up four of the last five months, had the largest increase, $6.0 billion or 15.6% to $44.8 billion. This was led by nondefense aircraft and parts, which increased $4.0 billion.
 
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