Jobless claims rise 19,000 to 479,000

[Roland99]

Source: MarketWatch

The number of people applying for initial unemployment benefits jumped by 19,000 to 479,000 in the latest week to the highest level since early April, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

After falling steadily last year, state jobless claims have flattened out. They have hovered above the 450,000 range through the first seven months of 2010, reflecting sluggish hiring trends in the U.S. Claims are 5.5% higher compared to the start of the year.

Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected initial claims to decline to 453,000 in the week ended July 31.

...

The four-week average of initial claims -- a better gauge of employment trends than the volatile weekly number -- rose by 5,250 to 453,250, according to government data.

Read more: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-rise-19000-to-479000-2010-08-05?dist=beforebell

---

Ahh...gotta love those surprised economists. They're there at *every* turn!

[saigon68]

1. Until "Good Jobs" return this will be normal

[ozone_man]

2. When will they learn to expect the unexpected

in the "unusually uncertain" times?

[xchrom]

3. gasp!

:eyes: these 'surprised' motherfuckers are useless.

[OhioChick]

6. No shit....

Aren't you just sick of this "surprised" and "unexpected" bullshit?

[lib2DaBone]

4. They cut unemployment insurance and went on vacation (twice)..

They flood the U.S. with cheap made-in-China junk.. while the guilty corporations do not pay a penny in taxes.

As a matter of fact.. CONngress even REWARDS these companies with tax refunds and incentives to offshore.

And they wonder why things are a little "sluggish".

[backtomn]

5. It seems like these "economists" have been surprised a lot.......

....in the last few years. Where were these guys educated......Joe's College & Grill?? It looks like they are the only ones surprised by this. As the one of the long-term unemployed, I have not seen much that is encouraging lately. I pray for some success for others like me.