Investing.com – The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose more-than-expected, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending January 1 rose to a seasonally adjusted 409K, after falling to 391K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 388K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to rise to 405K in the week ending January 1.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended December 25 fell less-than-expected, decreasing to 4.103 million, compared to 4.150 million in the preceding week. Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to fall to 4.070 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was up against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.34% to hit 1.3105.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a rise of 0.18%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a gain of 0.20% and Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.12%.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending January 1 rose to a seasonally adjusted 409K, after falling to 391K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 388K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to rise to 405K in the week ending January 1.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended December 25 fell less-than-expected, decreasing to 4.103 million, compared to 4.150 million in the preceding week. Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to fall to 4.070 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was up against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.34% to hit 1.3105.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a rise of 0.18%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a gain of 0.20% and Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.12%.