Investing.com – The number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose unexpectedly, posting the biggest weekly increase in six months, 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 8 rose to a seasonally adjusted 445K, after rising to 410K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 409K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 404K in the week ending January 8.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended January 1 fell more-than-expected, decreasing to 3.879 million, compared to 4.103 million in the preceding week. Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to fall to 4.100 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD jumping 0.84% to hit 1.3240.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a loss of 0.15%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a drop of 0.16% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.10%.
In a report, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending January 8 rose to a seasonally adjusted 445K, after rising to 410K in the preceding week, whose figure was revised up from 409K.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall to 404K in the week ending January 8.
The report showed that continuing jobless claims in the week ended January 1 fell more-than-expected, decreasing to 3.879 million, compared to 4.103 million in the preceding week. Analysts had expected continuing jobless claims to fall to 4.100 million.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar was down against the euro, with EUR/USD jumping 0.84% to hit 1.3240.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was downbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a loss of 0.15%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a drop of 0.16% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.10%.