Investing February 21, 2002
Initial Jobless Claims Figure Dips
February 21, 2002 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - After falling
for two consecutive weeks, the number of first time jobless
benefits claimants edged up by 10,000 in the week ending
February 16, according to data just released by the
Department of Labor.
Reported by Camilla Klein
After recovering slightly in recent weeks, the job market took one step back, with initial unemployment benefits claims rising to 383,000, from 373,000 the previous week – disappointing economists who had expected the figure to remain level.
The four-week moving average, considered a better gauge
of the unemployment situation, also increased. After
falling for five consecutive weeks, it rose to 381,750 from
376,000 the previous week.