US unemployment claims decrease
Applications for US unemployment benefits dropped 15,000 to a seasonally-adjusted 358,000 last week, though the figure was distorted for the second straight week by California’s efforts to clear backlogged claims.
The partial government shutdown also likely boosted the total, as government contractors and other businesses furloughed employees. The Labour Department says the less volatile four-week average rose 11,750 to 336,500.
Applications have jumped in the past two weeks, distorted by computer upgrades in two states and the 16-day shutdown. Prior to those unusual factors, claims had reached pre-recession levels, a sign that companies are cutting very few workers.
“Once the special factors are weeded out, and businesses carry on as best they can, we should continue to see moderate job growth,” said Jennifer Lee, an economist at BMO Capital Markets.
California and Michigan continued to sift through backlogged claims held up by computer changes. Furloughed private-sector workers drove up applications by 15,000 two weeks ago.
About 70,000 furloughed federal employees also sought benefits in the week ending October 5, although those workers aren’t included in the overall totals.