The US Department of Labor announced weekly data on applications for unemployment benefits. Accordingly, the number of people claiming unemployment benefits for the first time in the country decreased by 9 thousand people to 218 thousand in the week ending February 3 compared to the previous week. The number of applications, which was below market expectations, was predicted to be 221 thousand.
The previous week’s data on jobless claims was also revised upwards from 224 thousand to 227 thousand.
As of last week, the 4-week average number of applications for unemployment benefits increased by 3 thousand 750 compared to the previous week and reached 212 thousand 250. The number of ongoing applications for unemployment benefits decreased by 23 thousand people to 1 million 871 thousand in the week ending January 27.
