Jobless claims fall, trade gap narrows

[HughMoran]

Source: Reuters

Jobless claims fall, trade gap narrows

Reuters

The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell slightly less than expected last week, hinting at a slow labor market recovery.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 462,000 from 468,000 the prior week, the Labor Department said on Thursday. That was a touch less than market expectations for 460,000.

Separately, the Commerce Department said the nation's trade gap shrank 6.6 percent to $37.3 billion as oil imports fell to their lowest since February 1999. However, U.S. exports also declined. Analysts had expected the deficit to widen to $41.0 billion from $39.9 billion in December.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/03/11/2010-03-11_jobless_claims_fall_trade_gap_narrows.html#ixzz0hsi99L0S


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62A2AH20100311

[Donnachaidh]

1. so *only* 462,000 more jobs were lost last month

I'm sure those folks agree that the recession is over. :silly:

[belpejic]

2. I'm just glad there's another piece of good news.

I know things are still awful--I'm dealing with it too--but so many decisions rest on perception. The ball needs to get rolling so that companies start hiring and producing again.

[MercutioATC]

4. Chemical factory explodes outside San Diego...38 dead.

That's "good news" because they originally thought 39 were dead.

:eyes:

[tyne]

6. More jobs?

No....not "more" jobs. It's a stat on current unemployed...not MORE unemployed.

[Donnachaidh]

7. comprehension skills a problem?

"Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 462,000"

Initial + FIRST TIME unemployment claims. Four Hundred and Sixty Two THOUSAND ****NEW**** claims for unemployment.

:eyes:

[Wilms]

3. Explanation: Running out of people to fire. And no money to buy Walmart imports.

Any other questions?

[HughMoran]

5. There is always a way to spin positive news in a negative way!

Very humorous!

:rofl:

[Donnachaidh]

8. and vice versa -- like those 462,000 NEWLY unemployed!

:rofl: :rofl:

[HughMoran]

9. Except that 450,000 is the equilibrium point for unemployment!!

We are close to adding jobs - you didn't consider that people are also getting new jobs to offset this number - whoops!

It pays to know what you're talking about.